Formula One

Formula One is the world championship for open-wheel single-seater cars run by the FIA. More than 20 Grands Prix are held in different countries each season, with titles for both drivers and teams (constructors).

History

The first world championship race took place at Silverstone in England on 13 May 1950. The constructors' championship has been awarded since 1958. F1 cars can exceed 350 km/h and serve as a testing ground for automotive technology.

Formula One in the Turkic world

The Hungarian Grand Prix has been held at the Hungaroring near Budapest since 1986 — the first F1 race behind the Iron Curtain. Hungary's first F1 driver, Zsolt Baumgartner, made his debut at this very circuit in 2003.

The Turkish Grand Prix was held at Istanbul Park in 2005–2011 and 2020–2021. Its famous multi-apex Turn 8 is counted among the toughest corners in the sport; in 2020 Lewis Hamilton won there to clinch his seventh world title.

Baku has been on the calendar since 2016: the first race was called the European Grand Prix, and since 2017 it has been the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The 6-kilometre Baku City Circuit threads through the narrow streets of the Old City past the Maiden Tower, and its long straight makes it one of the fastest street circuits in the world.

Major competitions

Alongside the Formula One World Championship, the most famous motorsport events include its feeder series Formula 2 and Formula 3, the all-electric Formula E, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally.