Fun Facts about F1

Do you have the need for speed? Are you looking to expand your Formula 1 knowledge? Get all of your fun facts about F1 right here, right now!

Formula One, known around the world as F1, is the fastest, most exciting racing series on the planet. From iconic tracks, epic crashes and untouchable superstars, the world of F1 is a high-flying and unforgettable adrenaline rush.

You probably know the biggest stars of F1 like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and the legend Michael Schumacher, but how much do you really know about this racing sport that captures 500 million viewers annually?

Well buckle up, because we’re about to take a deep dive into the world of racing with these fun facts about F1.

In a circuit that covers the globe, F1 is the most international of all racing series with over 20 Grand Prix races in over 20 countries. And have you ever seen an F1 pit crew change a tire? We’ll get into those records later on as well.

From the most consecutive starts, to the most tragic crashes, the world of F1 is rich in history and astonishing achievements. It’s one of the best sports in the world to be there on race day too.

We think these F1 facts will be sure to impress your friends during the next Grand Prix. Let’s get started shall we? Go go go!

1. What is the formula?

The most common question about F1 is what exactly does formula mean? The formula is a set of rules all participants and cars must follow.

This includes car specifications and tire size to name a few. This allows for a fair race without a mechanical advantage (supposedly).

2. F1 cars can accelerate extremely fast

It’s no secret that F1 cars are extremely fast. But did you know an F1 car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 2.6 seconds and 0 to 100 mph (160 km/h) in 4.0 seconds?

Interestingly, F1 cars can also decelerate from 60 mph to 0 in less than 4.0 seconds as well!

3. How fast is an F1 car?

Valtteri Bottas holds the record for the highest speed reached in an F1 race. Amazingly, Bottas hit a jaw-dropping peak speed of 231.4 mph (372.5 km/h) at the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.

The F1 speed record not in competition? That was 246.9 mph (397.36 km/h) achieved on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

4. F1 as we know it

The iteration of Formula One we know today began in 1946 at the Turin Grand Prix in Italy.

While Grand Prix racing had been around for many years, this 1946 race was the first to run on Formula One criteria. The F1 World Championships were established four years later in 1950.

5. An intricate puzzle

This is one of the fun facts about F1 that left our tires spinning! The F1 race car has over 80,000 assembled parts and takes 150,000 human hours of labor to put together.

It must be such a high pressure task to assemble these vehicles knowing that one part out of place could cost a team a win or spell disaster for the driver.

It’s also amazing to think they can fix them so quickly when someone crashes during qualifying on Saturday!

6. Change the tires

Pit stops are one of the most exciting dimensions of F1 racing. The pit crew of the elite teams have the process down so well they can fully change a set of tires in 3 seconds!

In 2019, the Red Bull team of Max Verstappen’s car set a record by replacing all 4 tires in just 1.82 seconds. How quick is that!?

7. Drivers lose kilos per race in sweat

F1 drivers are subject to sweltering temperatures, high-stress and thick fire-retardant clothing for over 2 hours. This means the driver is sweating the entire time and only supplied 1.5 liters of water. A driver can lose up to 8.8 lbs (4 kg) per race!

8. A hefty price tag

An F1 car doesn’t come cheap! In fact, each vehicle has an estimated value of over $7 million.

Another expense is the frequent replacement of the car’s engine. The engine becomes non-functioning and has to be replaced approximately every 5 races. No wonder Formula One is one of the most expensive sports in the world!

9. Remembering those lost

While F1 racing is one of the safest racing series out there, there have been a fair share of tragedies on the racetrack. 46 drivers in all have lost their lives in F1 competition.

The oldest F1 fatality was Chet Miller (50). The youngest to die in an F1 crash was Ricardo Rodriguez (20).

10. Impressive F1 records

Here are some of the greatest F1 records and maybe the most valuable F1 facts to keep in your arsenal.

Most race starts: Kimi Raikkonen (349). Youngest to start: Max Verstappen (17 years). Consecutive starts: Lewis Hamilton (265). Most wins: Lewis Hamilton (103).

11. Animals on the race course

F1 races sometimes get animal visitors from the forests surrounding the track. Animals that have stolen the spotlight include; dogs, deer, birds and squirrels.

The Canadian Grand Prix has seen the most animal encounters with a fox, a groundhog, and a pair of seagulls. Also at the Singapore Grand Prix, a humongous lizard casually walked across the track!

12. This one’s for the girls

Lella Lombardi is a trailblazer for women in F1 racing. Starting her first race in 1974, Lombardi is still the only woman to earn a point in a Grand Prix race.

Overall she raced in 17 Grand Prix. We’re sure she’s still inspiring women in racing to this day!

13. The price of gas

If you can believe it, an entire F1 race is run on one tank of gas. In fact, in 2009 refueling mid-race was banned by F1.

This ban was enacted for safety reasons to avoid fuel spillage and cars going up in flames with the driver inside.

14. Quick F1 facts

The length of an F1 track is always 305 km (190 miles) with the Monaco Grand Prix being the only exception. This allows each F1 race to be completed in approximately 2 hours.

The 2021 US Grand Prix was the best attended F1 race of all time with over 400,000 spectators packing the circuit. In fact, F1 is one of the fastest growing sports in the States!

15. Formula 1 GOAT

Who is the greatest of all time in F1 racing? This is a highly debated topic but we’ll give a quick rundown.

Lewis Hamilton has the most F1 wins, most pole positions and has the joint-record of World Championships. Juan Manuel Fangio has the top winning percentage of all time with 46.15%, winning 24 of 52.

Ayrton Senna died at 34 in the prime of his career, but everyone still considers him the fastest driver in an F1 car. And who can overlook Michael Schumacher’s 7 World Championships. Who’s your pick?

16. More than just turning

The F1 steering wheel is one of the most complicated steering wheels in racing. With over 20 buttons all with unique functions, the driver not only has to drive incredibly fast they also must make split second decisions on the wheel.

17. The entire team

While a driver may get most of the glory in F1 racing it’s the whole team that really makes the magic happen. From bottom to top some teams consist of over 600 working members.

The most successful team in F1 – Ferrari with an astounding 15 championships. However, Ferrari hasn’t won a championship in 15 years.

18. Making millions

Here’s one of those F1 facts that will surprise no-one: the best F1 drivers are extremely rich! Not only from winning races, endorsements are even more lucrative.

Lewis Hamilton is the top earner of all-time with $489 million. Second place is Michael Schumacher with $464 million. In third is Fernando Alonso with $458 million.

19. Take me to Monaco

The Monaco Grand Prix is the most prestigious of all the Grand Prix races. It’s also the most quirky.

The race is run on the streets of the principality instead of a closed race track. It also has the shortest track and the most laps of all the races. Also 2 drivers have crashed into the Mediterranean Sea!

20. Race for the podium

Would you like to see F1 racing in the next Olympic Games? Well, we have some bad news.

In 2012, the IOC President Jacques Rogge stated that the Olympics will not include any sport that involves mechanical propulsion. The last time car racing was a part of the Olympics was in 1900.