The History of Formula 1
From the dusty airfields of post-war Britain to the cutting-edge hybrid machines of today— discover how Formula 1 became the pinnacle of motorsport and a global phenomenon.
Birth of the World Championship
Formula 1 racing existed before World War II, but the FIA Formula One World Championship was established in 1950 to create a unified series crowning the world's best driver.
The first race took place on May 13, 1950, at Silverstone, a former Royal Air Force airfield in England. The circuit was marked out using oil drums and hay bales, a far cry from today's high-tech facilities.
Giuseppe "Nino" Farina of Italy won that historic race in an Alfa Romeo 158, and went on to become the first Formula 1 World Champion. The Alfa Romeo dominated that first season, winning all races entered.
"Motor racing is a great mania to which one must sacrifice everything, without reticence, without hesitation."— Enzo Ferrari
75 Years of Evolution
The First World Championship
The FIA Formula One World Championship begins at Silverstone, UK on May 13, 1950. Giuseppe Farina wins the inaugural race driving an Alfa Romeo 158, going on to become the first World Champion.
Constructors' Championship Introduced
The Constructors' Championship is established, recognizing the best team alongside the Drivers' Championship. Vanwall becomes the first constructor to win the title.
The 3-Litre Era Begins
Engine regulations change to allow 3-litre naturally aspirated engines, ushering in a new era of power. Jack Brabham becomes the first driver to win a championship in a car bearing his own name.
Ground Effect Revolution
Lotus introduces ground effect aerodynamics with the Lotus 78, revolutionizing car design. The technology creates massive downforce by using the car's underbody as an inverted wing.
McLaren's Perfect Season
McLaren-Honda achieves the most dominant season in F1 history, winning 15 of 16 races. Ayrton Senna claims his first World Championship in an epic battle with teammate Alain Prost.
A Dark Weekend at Imola
The sport loses Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola, leading to major safety reforms. The tragedies transform F1's approach to driver safety forever.
Schumacher's Ferrari Dynasty
Michael Schumacher wins his first championship with Ferrari, ending the team's 21-year drought. He would go on to win five consecutive titles (2000-2004), setting records that stood for decades.
The Hybrid Era
F1 introduces 1.6-litre V6 turbo-hybrid power units, the most efficient and complex engines in motorsport history. Mercedes begins an unprecedented era of dominance.
The Greatest Season
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battle to the final lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen wins his first championship in one of the most controversial and dramatic finishes in F1 history.
New Regulations, New Era
Revolutionary ground effect regulations aim to improve racing. The new cars allow closer following and more overtaking, while cost caps level the playing field.
The Greatest Drivers in F1 History
These drivers defined eras, broke records, and inspired generations of racing fans.
Juan Manuel Fangio
5× World Champion
The Argentine maestro dominated the early years of F1, winning five championships with four different teams—a record that stood for 46 years.
Championships: 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957
Michael Schumacher
7× World Champion
The German legend redefined what was possible in F1, setting records for wins (91) and championships that seemed unbeatable.
Championships: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Lewis Hamilton
7× World Champion
The British driver equaled Schumacher's seven titles and surpassed his win record (104 wins), becoming the most successful driver in F1 history.
Championships: 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Ayrton Senna
3× World Champion
The Brazilian genius is considered by many the greatest driver ever. His raw speed, especially in wet conditions, and his rivalry with Prost defined an era.
Championships: 1988, 1990, 1991
Alain Prost
4× World Champion
The Professor earned his nickname through calculated, intelligent racing. His rivalry with Senna remains the most intense in F1 history.
Championships: 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993
Max Verstappen
4× World Champion
The Dutch prodigy became the youngest race winner at 18 and has dominated the 2020s era with Red Bull, winning four consecutive championships.
Championships: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
The Cathedrals of Speed
These legendary tracks have hosted the greatest battles in F1 history.
Monaco Grand Prix
Since 1950
The jewel in F1's crown. Racing through the streets of Monte Carlo is the ultimate test of precision and concentration.
Monza
Since 1950
The Temple of Speed. Home of the passionate Tifosi and Ferrari's spiritual home, featuring the fastest average speeds on the calendar.
Spa-Francorchamps
Since 1950
The legendary Belgian circuit featuring Eau Rouge, one of the most famous corners in motorsport. A driver's favorite for its flowing layout.
Silverstone
Since 1950
The birthplace of Formula 1. The former RAF airfield hosted the first World Championship race and remains Britain's home of motorsport.
Suzuka
Since 1987
Japan's figure-8 circuit is beloved for its technical challenges and has hosted many championship-deciding races.
Interlagos
Since 1973
São Paulo's anti-clockwise circuit has produced some of F1's most dramatic races, especially with unpredictable weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Formula 1 start?
The FIA Formula One World Championship began on May 13, 1950, with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Giuseppe Farina won the race driving an Alfa Romeo 158 and went on to become the first World Champion.
Who has won the most F1 World Championships?
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record with 7 World Championships each. Schumacher won his titles in 1994, 1995, and 2000-2004, while Hamilton won in 2008 and 2014-2015, 2017-2020.
What is the fastest F1 lap ever recorded?
The fastest lap in F1 history was set by Lewis Hamilton at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with an average speed of 264.362 km/h (164.267 mph). The top speed record is 372.6 km/h (231.5 mph) by Valtteri Bottas at the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.
Which team has won the most Constructors' Championships?
Ferrari holds the record with 16 Constructors' Championships, followed by Mercedes with 8 and McLaren with 8. Ferrari has been competing since the championship began in 1950.
How much does an F1 car cost?
A modern F1 car costs approximately $12-20 million to build. With the cost cap introduced in 2021, teams are limited to spending $140 million per season on car development and racing operations (excluding driver salaries and marketing).
How fast do F1 cars go?
Modern F1 cars can reach top speeds of around 350-370 km/h (217-230 mph) on circuits with long straights. They can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in approximately 2.6 seconds and generate up to 5G of lateral force in corners.
Create Your F1 Circuit Poster
Celebrate your favorite circuits with a personalized F1 poster— featuring track layouts, statistics, and your custom details.