The countdown to a new Formula 1 season is on, and if you’re thinking about getting into the sport—welcome to the grid! Whether you got hooked by Drive to Survive, have a boyfriend who won’t stop talking about it, or simply want to understand why your TikTok feed is suddenly filled with race highlights and Charles Leclerc edits, you’re in the right place.

F1 is my absolute favorite sport to watch, and trust me, once you dive in, there’s no going back. Here’s everything you need to know to start enjoying race weekends like a pro.

F1 in a Nutshell

Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, featuring 20 drivers racing in high-speed, high-tech cars on circuits around the world. The season typically runs from March to December, with races (called Grand Prix) happening nearly every weekend in different countries. The drivers compete for two major championships: the Drivers’ Championship (for the best individual driver) and the Constructors’ Championship (for the best team).

Why is Everyone Obsessed?

Beyond the fast cars and glamorous locations, F1 is a mix of strategy, drama, and incredible talent. Every race can be unpredictable—crashes, rivalries, weather changes, and last-lap battles make for edge-of-your-seat entertainment. Plus, the drivers? A mix of elite athletes and total characters, giving you plenty of reasons to pick a favorite.

The Basics You Need to Know

• Each race weekend has three key parts: Practice (Friday), Qualifying (Saturday), and the Race (Sunday).Qualifying determines the starting grid for the race.
• Pit stops matter. Teams change tires mid-race to optimize speed and strategy. A slow pit stop can ruin a race.
• The point system: The top 10 drivers earn points, with 1st place getting 25 and 10th place getting 1. There’s also an extra point for the fastest lap.
• DRS (Drag Reduction System): A special speed boost that helps drivers overtake on certain parts of the track.
• Teams matter. F1 has 10 teams, each with two drivers. Some iconic ones? Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull (home to Max Verstappen, who’s been dominating the sport).

The Drama Factor

If you love reality TV-level drama, F1 has it all. From teammate rivalries to controversial race decisions, there’s always something happening. And with social media, you’ll get even more behind-the-scenes tea. Keep an eye on post-race interviews—drivers do not hold back.

How to Pick a Favorite Driver or Team

• Go for personality: Love an underdog? Root for a driver fighting for podiums. Want someone with main character energy? Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen dominate the field.
• Aesthetic reasons count. If you vibe with a team’s color scheme or merch (hello, Ferrari red or McLaren papaya orange), go for it!
• Nationality ties: Many fans support drivers from their own country. And as an Italian, it’s Ferrari or nothing.
• Vibes alone: Charles Leclerc has ‘boyfriend energy,’ Daniel Ricciardo is the funniest guy on the grid, and Fernando Alonso is in his villain era. Choose accordingly.

How to Watch Like a Pro

• Follow F1 TikTok. The memes are elite and will keep you up to date.
• Tune into Qualifying. It’s not just about the race—Saturday Qualifying is intense and sets the mood for Sunday.
• Understand tire strategy. Soft tires = faster but wear out quickly. Hard tires = slower but last longer. Medium = in between. Teams play around with these to gain an advantage.
• Keep an eye on weather. Rain can flip a race upside down—chaos guaranteed.
• Listen to team radios. These are messages between drivers and their engineers, often giving insight into strategy or just providing hilarious reactions.

Bonus: Essential F1 Lingo

• Pole position: First place in qualifying = starts at the front of the grid.
• DNF: Did Not Finish. Crashes, mechanical failures, or penalties can end a driver’s race.
• Undercut/Overcut: Strategic pit stop moves to gain track position.
• Box, box: The team’s call to tell a driver to come into the pits.
• Safety Car: Slows down the race after an incident, keeping things bunched up for potential chaos at the restart.

F1 is so much more than just cars going in circles. It’s a mix of speed, strategy, drama, and pure adrenaline. It’s like watching a season of The Eras Tour, but with helmets and race suits instead of sequins. Whether you’re in it for the sport, the personalities, or the memes, welcome to the grid! Trust me, once you start watching, your Sunday plans will revolve around race day.

See you on race weekends! Forza Ferrari!

Love, Laura