Formula One

:F1 redirects here. For other uses of the abbreviation, see F1 (disambiguation).

Racing and strategy

Main Articles: Formula One racing, Formula One regulations

Related Topics:
Formula One racing - Formula One regulations

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A Formula One Grand Prix event spans an entire weekend, beginning with two free practices on Friday, and two free practices on Saturday. Third drivers are allowed to run on Fridays. After these practice sessions, a qualifying session consisting of one "flying lap" (whereby the driver is given an empty track to set his time on) determines a driver's position on the starting grid for Sunday's race, with the fastest driver during qualifying given "pole position" and the slowest driver starting last.

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The race begins with a warm-up formation lap, after which the cars assemble on the starting grid in the order they qualified. If a driver stalls before the parade lap, and the rest of the field passes him, then he must start from the back of the grid. As long as he moves off and at least one car is behind him, he can retake his original position.

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A light system above the track then signals the start of the race. Races are a little over 300 kilometres (180 miles) long and are limited to two hours, though in practice they usually last about ninety minutes. Throughout the race, drivers may make one or more pit stops in order to refuel, although they are currently not allowed to change tyres unless the change is essential (for instance, due to a puncture).

Related Topics:
Kilometre - Mile - Pit stop

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The FIA awards points to the top eight drivers and their respective teams of a grand prix on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis (the race winner receives ten points, the first runner-up eight, and so on). The winner of the two annual championships are the driver and the team who have accumulated the most points at the end of the season.

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