Started in the 1950s, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of the motorsport ladder. Every season, from March to December, ten F1 teams race in Grand Prix on five continents. The sport itself gives the illusion of watching a “Championship” or “Superbowl” every race because it is unquestionably the hardest position to reach in the world of motorsport. With up to 50 almost all American drivers in the NASCAR series, Formula One is exclusive to the best twenty drivers in the world adding to the grandeur of it all. It is incredible to win a F1 race even once, since each practice, qualifying, and race outcome can be determined by margins of a thousandth of a second. Everything from the engineering of the car in the factory to the multitude of decisions made by drivers and engineers on the track during the weekend must align perfectly to produce a victory. To achieve this frequently enough to rack up enough points to win either a Drivers’ Championship or a Constructors’ Championship even harder, making the glory all that more spectacular.
When looking at a Formula 1 car you’ll quickly realize that they are rocket ships compared to your usual NASCAR stock car. F1 cars are all about technology that is innovative, groundbreaking, and at the top of the field. Hence the name “Formula” which describes the elements of a car the team must adhere to when designing their car each season. About every six years, Formula One will come out with new regulations to dictate how the cars should develop and perform. This combined with the typical short drivers’ contracts keeps the stakes of the sport changing and the fans on their feet. The cars possess the world’s most efficient hybrid engines with numerous parts that are measured to precision. How else would they handle 22 unique and winding tracks impressively trickier than the repetitive ovals of NASCAR tracks. The innovation that goes into a Formula One car is often the technology that will be adapted to the newest and best road cars. The aerodynamics and internal structures of these cars are way too complex for me, but if engineering is your thing, you have to look into Formula 1.
Formula 1’s massive worldwide fandom must be highlighted as well, the sport is a global phenomenon. Races are televised in over 200 countries attracting an average viewership of 12 million per race. That’s at least four times more than the NASCAR average of 3. Because of the traveling aspect of the sport, fans from every corner of the globe have a chance to see the action. Unlike Nascar which is only hosted and viewed in America. This partly stems from the fact that drivers are from all across the globe; from Logan Sargent from Florida to Yuki Tsunoda from Japan many fans learn about a variety of cultures and countries. In Italy, the home of the coveted Ferrari team, Formula One is a religion. Italians have a deep passion for their team. This strong, almost spiritual connection to a sport demonstrates Formula One’s power.
What fans love almost as much as the racing, are the drivers. Watching 18 year old Max Verstappen race the RedBull car to his first win in Barcelona or Lewis Hamilton celebrating his 7th driver’s championship blows the minds of fans ready for the action. Formula 1 drivers demonstrate exceptional skill and bravery to push the car and themselves to the limit under extreme physical demands. Executing well under high pressure, at blistering speed, and maneuvering risky overtakes while responding to the split-second changes on the track takes not only pinnacle physical strength but also laser focus. Fans of Formula One are able to get to know and root for their favorite driver weekend and week out in a truly personal way. The connection that an F1 fan can make to the sport and the levels of interest that are available to them, from the personal and social aspect of the driver to the intricate technical and regulative side of the sport makes Formula One the greatest form of motorsport.