Formula 1 [UPDATED 2026]

1. Red Bull Racing – Laurent Mekies

2. Mercedes-AMG Petronas – Toto Wolff

3. Ferrari – Frederic Vasseur

4. McLaren – Andrea Stella

5. Aston Martin – Adrian Newey

6. Alpine – Flavio Briatore

7. Audi – Jonathan Wheatley

8. Williams Racing – James Vowles

9. Racing Bulls – Alan Permane

10. Haas F1 Team – Oyao Komatsu

11. Cadillac – Graeme Lowdon

Formula 1 was born in 1950 as the World Drivers' Championship, with its first race at the Silverstone circuit in England. Since then, it has become the premier class of motorsport, attracting the best drivers and marking the technological development of motorsports.

In the early decades, legends like Juan Manuel Fangio dominated, defining an era in the 1950s. Over time, F1 evolved in both driving style and safety. In the 1980s and 1990s, the rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost defined an era filled with excitement, raw talent, and tragedy, such as Senna's own death in 1994.

In the 2000s, Michael Schumacher rewrote history with seven world titles, ushering in an era of absolute dominance. Starting in 2014, Lewis Hamilton took over, equaling that historic record of seven championships and becoming a global icon.

Since 2021, Max Verstappen has emerged as the new dominant figure, ushering in a new era with consecutive victories and titles in an increasingly technological and globalized Formula 1.

Today, F1 combines speed, strategy, and spectacle, with ultra-high-performance hybrid cars, races on every continent, and a global audience that grows every season.

Weekend format

Friday: 2 free practices (FP1 and FP2)

Saturday: FP3 + Qualifying (Q1, Q2, Q3)

Sunday: Main race (approx. 305 km or 2h max.)

On Sprint weekends, qualifying is held earlier and there is a short race on Saturday.

Race rules

Duration: ~1h30min up to 2h maximum (or 3h if suspended).

Points: They are distributed to the first 10 (25–18–15–12–10–8–6–4–2–1) + 1 extra point if they do a fast lap.

Tires: Pirelli is the supplier. There are three compounds per weekend (soft, medium, hard).

Stops: Minimum 1 tire change required.

Track limits: Constantly going beyond the white borders is not permitted.

Safety Car / Virtual Safety Car: Activated in accidents or dangerous conditions.

Common penalties

Breaking track limits

Crashing or forcing another driver

Unsafe pit exits

Excessive use of DRS outside authorized areas

There are around 24 Grand Prix races on the current calendar. Here are the most important and well-known circuits.

Australia – Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, 58 laps

China – Shanghai International Circuit, 56 laps Japan – Suzuka Circuit, 53 laps

Bahrain – Bahrain International Circuit, 57 laps

Saudi Arabia – Jeddah International Street Circuit, 50 laps

United States – Hard Rock Stadium Circuit (Miami International Autodrome), 57 laps

Canada – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, 70 laps

Monaco – Circuit de Monaco, 78 laps

Spain – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, 66 laps

Austria – Red Bull Ring, 71 laps

United Kingdom – Silverstone Circuit, 52 laps

Belgium – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, 44 laps

Hungary – Hungaroring, 70 laps

Netherlands – Circuit Zandvoort, 72 laps

Italy – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, 53 laps

Spain – Madring, 57 laps

Azerbaijan – Baku City Circuit, 51 laps

Singapore – Marina Bay Street Circuit, 62 laps

United States – Circuit of the Americas (COTA), 56 laps

Mexico – Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, 71 laps

Brazil – Autodromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos), 71 laps

United States – Las Vegas Street Circuit, 50 laps

Qatar – Losail International Circuit, 57 laps

United Arab Emirates – Yas Marina Circuit, 58 laps

2026 Single-Seater: MCL40A

Drivers: Lando Norris (#1), Oscar Piastri (#81)

Description: McLaren is one of the most historic teams in Formula 1, founded in 1966 by Bruce McLaren. It has won multiple drivers' and constructors' championships and enters the 2026 season as one of the favorites. The MCL40A is its car designed under the new regulations, with an emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency and consistent performance.

2026 Single-Seater: Mercedes W17 (or equivalent)

Drivers: George Russell (#63), Kimi Antonelli (#12)

Description: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is a legendary team with multiple championships in its recent history. For 2026, Russell brings experience and Antonelli represents young talent, both looking to return the team to winning ways.

2026 Single-Seater: RB22 (or equivalent)

Drivers: Max Verstappen (#3), Isack Hadjar (#6)

Description: Oracle Red Bull Racing has been a dominant force in modern F1 and continues with an extreme performance approach. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen remains at the wheel alongside the up-and-coming Isack Hadjar. The RB22 is designed to exploit the new regulations and compete for victories.

2026 Single-Seater: SF-26 (or equivalent) Drivers: Charles Leclerc (#16), Lewis Hamilton (#44) Description: Scuderia Ferrari is the only team that has competed in every Formula 1 season since 1950. With Leclerc and Hamilton as drivers, Ferrari is looking to return to the top after years without titles, combining historical experience with technical innovation.

2026 Single-Seater: FW48 (or equivalent)

Drivers: Alex Albon (#23), Carlos Sainz (#55 ) Description: Williams Racing is one of the most storied teams in F1, boasting multiple drivers' and constructors' championships. For 2026, Albon and Sainz form a strong pairing looking to solidify their position in the midfield.

2026 Single-Seater: RB-F1 Team Chassis (or equivalent)

Drivers: Liam Lawson (#30), Arvid Lindblad (#41)

Description: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls is Red Bull's sister team, focused on developing young talent. Lawson brings experience, and Lindblad will make his F1 debut in 2026 with high expectations.

2026 Single-Seater: AMR26 (or equivalent) Drivers: Fernando Alonso (#14), Lance Stroll (#18) Description: The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team competes with a blend of experience and consistency in its drivers. Alonso is one of the most seasoned on the grid, while Stroll brings consistency. The team is working to climb the standings.

Single-seater 2026: VF-26 Drivers: Esteban Ocon (#31), Ollie Bearman (#87) Description: TGR Haas F1 Team (formerly just Haas) continues as the American team with a stable presence in F1. The VF-26 is their car for 2026, and they are looking to improve their overall performance with Ocon and the young Bearman.

2026 Single-Seater: A526 (or equivalent) Drivers: Pierre Gasly (#10), Franco Colapinto (#43) Description: BWT Alpine F1 Team is competing with a focus on technical development and progression after some challenging seasons. With Gasly and Colapinto, Alpine is working to achieve higher results in the constructors' championship.

2026 Single-Seater: Audi R26 (or equivalent)

Drivers: Nico Hülkenberg (#27), Gabriel Bortoleto (#5)

Description: Audi Motorsport AG makes its F1 debut after taking over Sauber's former structure, combining Hülkenberg's experience with Bortoleto's youth. The team aims to quickly establish itself among the midfield competitors.

2026 Single-Seater: MAC-26 Drivers: Sergio Perez (#11), Valtteri Bottas (#77) Description: Cadillac F1 Team makes its Formula 1 debut with the MAC-26, named in honor of Mario Andretti. With veteran drivers like Pérez and Bottas, the American team aims to establish itself from its first season.