Formula 1 is a highly competitive sport in which a fraction of a second can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The ‘formula’ in its name refers to a set of rules that all cars must comply with, but the sport also encompasses a wide range of complex technology – from high-powered turbo-hybrid engines and 18-inch tyres to detailed bodywork and sophisticated suspension elements.
Thousands of parts are involved in creating the fastest and most advanced race cars on the planet. Drivers and teams compete fiercely to win races and to become world champions, earning a coveted trophy on the podium in front of huge crowds. The title is a major source of prestige and carries substantial financial implications for the winning team through prize money.
Driver and constructor standings are calculated based on the points earned at each Grand Prix and sprint race. The winner of a race receives 25 points, while the number of points decreases on a sliding scale down to 10th place, which is worth just one point. Points are also awarded for sprint races, which are one-third the length of a Grand Prix. The driver with the most points wins the drivers’ championship, while the team with the most combined points, determined by adding up a driver’s and teammate’s score, wins the constructors’ championship.
Since the Constructors’ Championship began in 1958, there have been 12 occasions where a different team has won both titles. Ferrari are the most successful, with 16 titles, ahead of McLaren with nine and Williams with eight.