Formula 1 is the biggest brand machine in motorsport. Biggest budget, biggest reach, biggest stage. It is not necessarily the most interesting racing series — but the most important one when it comes to the global perception of motorsport.
What it is
10 teams, 20 drivers, roughly 24 races per season across four continents. Current hybrid power units (1.6-liter V6 turbo + ERS-K + ERS-H), and from 2026 a new set of regulations with a 50/50 split between combustion engine and electric power.
Why it matters
- Technical pinnacle. Materials, aerodynamics, tire development — no form of racing spends more
- Driver caliber. The 20 drivers in F1 are the upper end of the racing talent humanity produces
- Global calendar. Monaco, Suzuka, Spa, Silverstone, Austin — the most important circuits in the world
Where its limits lie
- Little action, lots of strategy. Anyone expecting dramatic overtaking moves is better served by WEC or IMSA
- Politics. Regulation debates, team orders, FIA theatrics — part of the package, but not what motorsport is about
- High-priced lifestyle consumption. F1 weekends have become a yacht-paddock-fashion affair, less of a race weekend
ABXK assessment
F1 always has its place on the calendar — but it is not the yardstick for serious motorsport culture. Whoever races F1 races the biggest thing there is. Whoever understands motorsport also watches WEC, IMSA, MotoGP, the Nürburgring 24 Hours — and often finds more there.
In the 2026 calendar the must-see F1 dates are: Monaco, Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Suzuka.
Every world champion since 1950
The complete list of Formula 1 world champions from 1950 to 2025.