Formula One, the basics

Hi Charlie!

If you don’t know, FORMULA ONE IS BACK!! Indeed the 2024 season of F1 started, which is why my article will be about

1. What is Formula One?

It’s a motorsport that started in 1950 where drivers compete against each other to win a championship. There are two championships: 

- The Driver’s Championship (won by the driver who scores the most points)

- The Constructor’s Championship (won by the team who scores the most points)

During the season, there are multiple races called Grand Prix. Each Grand Prix occurs on a different circuit, spread across different continents. The races can happen at night or during the day, on a road circuit (designed for motorsport events) or a street circuit (temporary and made by closing off public roads).

Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore Circuit Zaandvort in the Netherlands

2. The weekends

This season will count 24 Grand Prix that will take place during an entire weekend. There are two types of them:

	Regular Weekend	Sprint Weekend
Friday	Two practice sessions	Practice session + Sprint shoutout (quali)
Saturday	Third practice session + Qualifying session	Sprint + Qualifying for Sunday’s race
Sunday	Grand Prix	Grand Prix

        III. The flags

Yellow & Red Stripes = Slippery or hazardous track surface

Black & White = Warning for unsportsmanlike behaviour

Black With An Orange Circle = Driver with a mechanical issue and must return to the pits

Black = Disqualification

White = Slow-moving vehicle on the track

Blue = Faster car is coming, allow them to overtake

Yellow = Hazard on track. Overtake is forbidden

Green = Normal racing conditions/Restart after a red flag

Red = Session is suspended

Chequered = Session is finished (no new laps may be started)

Thanks for reading this!

I tried to explain a really complex sport as clearly and fast as possible. Let me know if you have any questions or want any precisions about anything, I'd be happy to answer you!

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