Formula One
Photo: E Gammie, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Formula One or F1 is the premier category of Motor sport, with cars racing at over 350 kph. They mostly race on purpose-built circuits but sometimes on closed streets, with Monaco the most famous example.
Each F1 racetrack is different, with its own mix of straights, tight bends and chicanes. It’s a much sterner test of driving skill than the oval tracks used in other racing categories, where the simpler corners and long straights favour brute engine power. F1 tracks are 4-5 km long and the race is over enough laps to total 305 km.
Grand Prix or GP is the series of F1 races over a year, with winners totting up points towards the World Championship. "Grand Prix" means big prize and these are the most lucrative racing events, drawing the best cars and drivers plus huge crowds. That term might also translate as huge price, as only manufacturers with deep pockets can afford to develop such cars, field teams and transport them continually around the world. Barely a dozen can do so.
Formula One races are sometimes held outside the Grand Prix calendar, but these are more modest events, and from the traveller’s point of view F1 and GP are much the same.
UnderstandThe first organised motor race was in 1867 and totally illegal: a pair of vehicles careered through the cobbled streets of Manchester, like Mister Toad versus Mister Punch.
Grand Prix calendarThe race calendar is now set to the end of 2027. The main changes from previous years are that Portugal and Turkey join the calendar.
Get inEntry to a circuit requires a ticket. Tickets can be bought for the whole weekend (all three days) or for one specific day (they get more expensive as the weekend goes along). There are generally two types on sale:
Get aroundWalking is generally the best option (and sometimes the only option) for getting from one area to another. Circuit maps are printed within official programs and on boards dotted around the track.
BuyThere will be many stalls situated just outside the viewing areas selling all kinds of F1 and motorsport memorabilia.
SleepWith these tracks often located away from city centers, hotels near many of the circuits can sell out up to a year in advance, so if you are intending on staying nearby book early.
Stay safeDespite the high visibility of the 'motorsport is dangerous' notices Formula One has quite a good spectator safety record.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Formula One" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: E Gammie, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons