Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is a form of open-wheeledauto racing. It is the highest class defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body.[1] The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules. These rules tell the builders and drivers of the cars what they may and may not do. The F1 world championship season is a series of races. These races are known as Grands Prix. They are usually held on purpose-built circuits. In a few places, they are held on closed city streets. The most famous Grand Prix is the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.[2] The top finisher of each race are awarded championship points. The points are added up at the end of they year. There are two yearly Championships. The one for drivers and one for constructors.
Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most Grand Prix victories. He has won 91 times.[3]Alain Prost is second with 51 wins, and Ayrton Senna is third with 41 wins. Michael Schumacher also has the longest time between his first win and his last. He won his first Grand Prix in 1992 at the Belgian Grand Prix, and his last in 2006 at the Chinese Grand Prix, a span of 14 years, 1 month and 1 day. The youngest winner of a Grand Prix is Sebastian Vettel, who was 21 years, 73 days old when he won the Italian Grand Prix in 2008.[4]Luigi Fagioli is the oldest winner of a Formula One Grand Prix. He was 53 years and 22 days old when he won the 1951French Grand Prix.[5]
As of the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, there have been 115 different Formula One Grand Prix winners. The 100th Grand Prix winner was Heikki Kovalainen at the 2008Hungarian Grand Prix.[6] 746 drivers have started a Grand Prix race.