F1 for Beginners: Everything You Need to Start Watching
Quick answer: Formula 1 is a world championship of 11 teams and 22 drivers racing at around 24 Grands Prix a year. Each weekend has practice, qualifying to set the starting order, and a race on Sunday. Drivers score points for the drivers' championship, and their points are added together for their team in the constructors' championship.
The race weekend
| Day | Normal weekend | Sprint weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Two practice sessions | One practice session and sprint qualifying |
| Saturday | Final practice and qualifying | Sprint race and qualifying |
| Sunday | The Grand Prix | The Grand Prix |
Learn more in what is a sprint race.
Qualifying in three parts
Qualifying is split into Q1, Q2 and Q3. The slowest drivers drop out after Q1 and Q2, and the fastest ten fight for pole position in Q3. The fastest driver starts first on Sunday.
How points work
The top ten finishers score points, from 25 for the winner down to 1 for tenth. Sprint races give points to the top eight. Read the full breakdown in the F1 points system explained.
Tyres and pit stops
Pirelli brings soft, medium and hard tyres to each race. Softer tyres are faster but wear out sooner. In a dry race each driver must use at least two different compounds, so every car makes at least one pit stop, which takes around two to three seconds when it goes well. See Pirelli F1 tyre compounds explained.
Flags and the Safety Car
Marshals use flags to warn drivers. Yellow means danger and no overtaking, red stops the session, and the chequered flag ends it. A Safety Car slows the field when there is a crash. See F1 flags explained.
The 2026 cars
2026 brought new cars: smaller, lighter, with active aerodynamics and engines that split power almost equally between combustion and electric. Read the 2026 rules explained.
Picking your team
Most fans choose a team through a driver they like, a country, a colour or a story. Start with the 2026 F1 grid and F1 team colours explained. Once you have a team, wear it. A cap is the easiest way to start.
F1 Baseball Cap
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Ferrari Team Cap
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McLaren Team Cap
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Red Bull Team Cap
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Keep the jargon handy with the F1 glossary, and plan a trip with your first F1 race checklist.
FAQ
How many races are in an F1 season?
Around 24. The 2027 calendar has 24 Grands Prix.
What is pole position?
First place on the starting grid, earned by the fastest driver in qualifying.
What is the difference between the drivers' and constructors' championships?
The drivers' title goes to the driver with the most points. The constructors' title goes to the team whose two drivers score the most points combined.
