With Formula 1 (F1) being one of the fastest growing sports in popularity globally, getting into it can be extremely difficult. Especially with the complexity of the teams, rules, and regulations that change every year. With the 2026 season upon us, you may not have time to spend hours learning all the ins and outs. So, here’s our quick and easy beginners guide to F1!
Racing Around the World
The F1 season is made up of 24 Grand Prix (race) weekends, each one at a different track around the world. There are two different ways the race weekend can be set up. The first version includes Free Practice, Qualifying and the Grand Prix race. The second setup is Free Practice, Sprint Qualifying, Sprint Race, Grand Prix Qualifying, and finally, the Grand Prix race. In Free Practice, drivers practice on the track they will race on. In Qualifying, drivers try to get the fastest lap to decide what position they will start the race in. Then, the race, in which all drivers put the pedal to the metal to be the fastest person to cross the finish line after a set number of laps. Sprint Races and Sprint Qualifying are bonus races (that occur on Saturday) added onto the standard race weekend and are just shorter versions of their counterparts.
Rules of the Race
F1 is one of the most popular heavy motorsport categories. However, there are some basics about the cars and the race you need to know. The biggest thing is penalties. A driver can’t have more than two wheels off the edge of the track at a time. If they do, they will receive either a warning or a time penalty that will be added onto their total time at the end of the race which can potentially change their ending position. Another important part of racing to understand is the safety car. The safety car is used when there is a crash on the track. Cars must follow pace with the safety car and can’t overtake or they could receive a penalty. Sometimes, if a crash is too big, a red flag will be issued which ends the race in an emergency.
Tire Types
Tire types may sound confusing, but they really show how a team or driver is taking a race and it’s a highly important thing to understand. Luckily they are color coded so that makes it a little easier to comprehend.
Teams of 2026
F1 is ever-evolving, but for the past nine seasons, there have only been 10 teams. This season they’ve decided to shake things up and upgrade to 11 teams total. The original nine teams that you will still see on the track this year are as follows: Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Alpine, Haas, Williams, and Racing Bulls. Kick Sauber (otherwise known as “Stake”) was also included in the 2025 season, but will be replaced by a new team, Audi, this year. Cadillac, being a widely known American motor vehicle company, has decided to also toss their hat in the ring and start a brand new team.
Beyond the Checkered Flag
F1 is a global sport followed by millions of fans, so of course it influences popular culture. It isn’t all fast cars and crazy rules; Formula 1 is fun! The world of F1 has inside jokes and memes galore. It’s a community of people with diverse backgrounds that come together to enjoy one of the finest displays of motorsports. So don’t be afraid to dip your toes in the water and tune in this season. Happy racing!
