New to F1? A Beginner’s Guide to Formula 1

Welcome to Formula 1 — the fastest, most technologically advanced motorsport on the planet. If you’ve seen clips of cars weaving through corners at over 200 mph and wondered what on earth is going on, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start enjoying F1 as a new fan.

What Is Formula 1?

Formula 1, commonly known as F1, is the highest class of international single-seater motor racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The “formula” refers to a set of rules and technical regulations that all cars must comply with. The sport has been running since 1950, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious racing championships in the world.

Each season, 20 drivers from 10 teams compete across roughly 24 race weekends held on circuits around the globe — from the street circuits of Monaco and Singapore to purpose-built tracks like Silverstone and Suzuka. Two championships are contested simultaneously: the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship.

How a Race Weekend Works

A standard F1 race weekend spans three days (Friday to Sunday) and includes several sessions. Understanding the structure helps you follow the action from the very first lap of practice.

Free Practice (Friday & Saturday)

Teams get three practice sessions (FP1, FP2 on Friday; FP3 on Saturday morning) to set up their cars, test tyre compounds, gather data, and allow drivers to learn or reacquaint themselves with the circuit. Practice times do not directly affect the race, but they are crucial for strategy. Teams experiment with fuel loads, aerodynamic configurations, and different tyre compounds to understand how the car behaves across a race distance.

Qualifying (Saturday)

Qualifying determines the starting order for the race. It is split into three knockout rounds:

  • Q1 (18 minutes): All 20 drivers set timed laps. The five slowest are eliminated and fill grid positions 16–20.
  • Q2 (15 minutes): The remaining 15 drivers go again. The five slowest are eliminated, filling positions 11–15.
  • Q3 (12 minutes): The top 10 drivers battle for pole position (P1) and the front rows of the grid.

The driver who sets the fastest lap in Q3 earns pole position — the coveted first spot on the grid. For a deeper look, read our F1 Rules Explained guide.

The Race (Sunday)

The race itself is the main event. Grands Prix are typically around 305 kilometres (190 miles) in distance, with the number of laps varying by circuit. Before the race begins, drivers complete a formation lap to warm up their tyres and brakes, then line up on the grid. When five red lights go out, the race begins.

Races last roughly 90 minutes to two hours. The first driver to cross the finish line after the designated number of laps wins the Grand Prix.

The Grid and Starting Positions

The grid is the arrangement of cars at the start of the race, determined by qualifying results. Cars line up in a staggered two-by-two formation. Starting at the front is a significant advantage because overtaking can be difficult, especially on tight street circuits. Pole position (P1) is on the clean side of the track, giving that driver the best possible launch into the first corner.

DRS — The Drag Reduction System

DRS stands for Drag Reduction System, and it is one of the most talked-about elements of modern F1. When a driver is within one second of the car ahead at a designated detection point, they can open a flap on their rear wing along a DRS zone (a straight section of the track). This reduces aerodynamic drag and gives the following car a speed boost of roughly 10–15 km/h, making overtaking easier.

DRS is disabled in wet conditions and during safety car periods. To learn more about how it works, check out our dedicated DRS Explained page.

Pit Stops

During a race, every car must make at least one pit stop to change tyres. F1 pit stops are astonishingly fast — top teams can change all four tyres in under two seconds. Pit stop strategy is a vital part of F1; when you stop, what tyres you switch to, and how many stops you make can be the difference between winning and losing.

Pirelli supplies three dry-weather tyre compounds for each race — soft (red), medium (yellow), and hard (white) — plus intermediates (green) and full wets (blue) for rain. Drivers must use at least two different dry compounds during a race. Dive deeper into this topic with our Tyre Strategy guide.

Flags You Need to Know

Marshals around the circuit use coloured flags to communicate with drivers:

  • Green flag: Track is clear; racing can resume at full speed.
  • Yellow flag: Danger ahead; slow down, no overtaking. A double yellow means significant danger and drivers must be prepared to stop.
  • Red flag: Session stopped. All cars must return to the pit lane or grid.
  • Blue flag: Shown to a lapped car to let the faster car behind pass.
  • Black flag: Driver must return to the pits immediately — usually disqualification.
  • Chequered flag: The session or race has ended.
  • Black and white flag: Warning for unsportsmanlike behaviour.
  • Black and orange flag: Car has a mechanical problem; driver must pit.

The Championships

F1 awards points to the top 10 finishers at each race, with 25 points for a win down to 1 point for 10th place. An extra point is available for the fastest lap (provided the driver finishes in the top 10). Sprint races at selected weekends award a smaller set of points.

The Drivers’ Championship goes to the driver with the most points at the end of the season. The Constructors’ Championship combines the points of both drivers in a team. For the full breakdown, see our Points System Explained guide.

Where to Watch F1 in the UK

In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 holds the exclusive live broadcast rights. Every practice session, qualifying session, sprint, and race is shown live on Sky Sports F1. If you don’t have a Sky subscription, NOW TV offers day, week, and month passes for Sky Sports.

Channel 4 broadcasts free-to-air highlights of every race weekend and shows the British Grand Prix live in full. This is a great option if you want to follow the sport without a paid subscription.

For an up-to-date listing of what’s on and when, visit our TV Schedule page.

What to Watch First

If you’re completely new, here are some recommendations to get hooked:

  • Drive to Survive (Netflix): This docuseries brought millions of new fans to F1. It dramatises the behind-the-scenes rivalries and politics, making it an excellent entry point.
  • Classic races: The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, 2019 German Grand Prix, and the 2021 Abu Dhabi finale are all widely regarded as must-watch events.
  • A live race: Nothing beats watching a race live. Pick a Grand Prix weekend, tune in for qualifying on Saturday, and follow it up with the race on Sunday.

Explore More Guides

Now that you have the basics, you can go deeper into specific topics: