Editing Formula One (section)

==Drivers==
{{See also|List of Formula One drivers|List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|List of Formula One driver numbers}}
[[File:Lap4 Canada2005.jpg|thumb|[[2005 Canadian Grand Prix]]: [[Kimi Räikkönen]] leading Michael Schumacher, with [[Jarno Trulli]] ([[Toyota in Formula One|Toyota]]) and [[Takuma Sato]] ([[British American Racing|BAR]]-[[Honda in Formula One|Honda]]) fighting for position]]

Every team in Formula One must run two cars in every session in a Grand Prix weekend, and every team may use up to four drivers in a season.<ref name="DriveChang" /> A team may also run two additional drivers in Free Practice sessions,<ref name="DriveChang" /> which are often used to test potential new drivers for a career as a Formula One driver or gain experienced drivers to evaluate the car.<ref>{{cite news|last=Saward|first=Joe|title=Jérôme d'Ambrosio and Virgin‽|url=http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/jerome-dambrosio-and-virgin%E2%80%BD/|access-date=11 June 2011|work=Joe Saward's Grand Prix Blog|date=20 September 2010|archive-date=19 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819015958/http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/jerome-dambrosio-and-virgin%E2%80%BD/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Klien signed as HRT Friday driver|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22218.html|publisher=Grandprix.com|date=6 May 2010|access-date=10 June 2011|archive-date=8 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708171222/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns22218.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Most drivers are contracted for at least the duration of a season, with driver changes taking place in-between seasons, in comparison to early years when drivers often competed on an ad hoc basis from race to race. Each competitor must be in the possession of a [[FIA Super Licence]] to compete in a Grand Prix,<ref name=AppL>{{cite web|title=Appendix L to the International Sporting Code|url=http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/C30FA5AA9E36713DC125786B004EDCFC/$FILE/11.04.07_Annexe%20L_%202011.pdf|website=[[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]|date=7 April 2011|access-date=10 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002144005/http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/C30FA5AA9E36713DC125786B004EDCFC/$FILE/11.04.07_Annexe%20L_%202011.pdf|archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref> which is issued to drivers who have met the criteria of success in junior motorsport categories and having achieved {{convert|300|km}} of running in a Formula One car. Drivers may also be issued a Super Licence by the [[World Motor Sport Council]] if they fail to meet the criteria.<ref name=AppL /> Although most drivers earn their seat on ability, commercial considerations also come into play with teams having to satisfy sponsors and financial demands.

Teams also contract test and reserve drivers to stand in for regular drivers when necessary and develop the team's car; although with the reduction on testing the reserve drivers' role mainly takes places on a [[simulator]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=James|title=Inside an F1 team's driving simulator|url=http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/10/video-exclusive-inside-an-f1-teams-driving-simulator/|access-date=10 June 2011|work=James Allen on F1|date=11 October 2010|archive-date=25 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725155909/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/10/video-exclusive-inside-an-f1-teams-driving-simulator/|url-status=dead}}</ref> such as ''[[rFpro]]'',<ref name=rFPro>{{cite web|title=Taking the lag out of dynamics simulation|url=http://articles.sae.org/12760/|website=SAE Automotive Engineering Magazine|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-date=4 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004173929/http://articles.sae.org/12760/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ferrari Changed His Simulator Software|url=http://www.f1simulatormaniac.com/formula-1-2014/ferrari-changed-simulator-software/|website=F1 Simulator Maniac|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-date=9 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909023443/http://www.f1simulatormaniac.com/formula-1-2014/ferrari-changed-simulator-software/|url-status=dead}}</ref> which is used by most of the F1 teams.<ref name=rfProMars>{{cite web|last1=Offermans|first1=Marcel|title=rFactor: Full Steam Ahead!|url=http://www.planetmarrs.net/rfactor-full-steam-ahead/|website=Planet Marrs|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426084556/http://www.planetmarrs.net/rfactor-full-steam-ahead/|archive-date=26 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=rFProISI>{{cite web|title=History of the Image Space Inc. Software Engine|url=http://imagespaceinc.com/software.php|website=Image Space Incorporated|access-date=31 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033750/http://www.imagespaceinc.com/software.php|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

Each driver chooses an unassigned number from 2 to 99 (excluding 17 which was retired following the death of [[Jules Bianchi]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Number 17 to be retired in Bianchi's honour|url=https://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/headlines/2015/7/number-17-to-be-retired-in-bianchis-honour.html|website=Formula1.com|access-date=31 August 2015|date=20 July 2015|archive-date=9 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909203456/http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/headlines/2015/7/number-17-to-be-retired-in-bianchis-honour.html|url-status=live}}</ref> upon entering Formula One and keeps that number during their time in the series. The number one is reserved for the reigning Drivers' Champion, who retains their previous number and may choose to use it instead of the number one.<ref>{{cite web|last=Benson|first=Andrew|title=Formula 1's governing body confirm drivers' numbers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25694748|website=BBC Sport|access-date=21 March 2014|date=11 January 2014|archive-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112134808/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25694748|url-status=live}}</ref> At the onset of the championship, numbers were allocated by race organisers on an ad hoc basis from race to race.<ref name="F1 number">{{cite web|last=Fearnly|first=Paul|title=F1's number conundrum|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/f1s-number-conundrum|website=MotorSport Magazine|access-date=4 February 2020|date=5 December 2013|archive-date=4 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204220739/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/f1s-number-conundrum|url-status=live}}</ref>

Permanent numbers were introduced in {{f1|1973}} to take effect in {{f1|1974}}, when teams were allocated numbers in ascending order based on the Constructors' Championship standings at the end of the 1973 season. The teams would hold those numbers from season to season with the exception of the team with the World Drivers' Champion, which would swap its numbers with the one and two of the previous champion's team. New entrants were allocated spare numbers, with the exception of the number 13 which had been unused since {{f1|1976}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|title=Your questions: F1 and the number 13|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/01/09/your-questions-f1-and-the-number-13/|website=F1Fanatic.co.uk|date=7 January 2008|access-date=10 June 2011|archive-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915040555/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/01/09/your-questions-f1-and-the-number-13/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Drivers' World Championship trophy 2004 replica front1 2019 Michael Schumacher Private Collection.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|The trophy given to the F1 World Drivers' Champion at the end of the season<!--Note this is a replica-->]]
As teams kept their numbers for long periods of time, car numbers became associated with a team, such as [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari's]] 27 and 28.<ref name="F1 number" /> A different system was used from {{f1|1996}} to {{f1|2013}}: at the start of each season, the current Drivers' Champion was designated number one, their teammate number two, and the rest of the teams assigned ascending numbers according to previous season's Constructors' Championship order.<ref name="DrivNo">{{cite web|last=Collantine|first=Keith|title=Your questions: F1 car numbers|date=8 August 2007|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/08/your-questions-f1-car-numbers/|website=F1Fanatic.co.uk|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023113722/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/08/your-questions-f1-car-numbers/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, a total of 34 separate drivers have won the World Drivers' Championship, with Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton holding the record for most championships with seven. Lewis Hamilton achieved the most race wins, too, in 2020. [[Jochen Rindt]] is the only posthumous World Champion, after his points total was not surpassed despite his fatal accident at the [[1970 Italian Grand Prix]], with 4 races still remaining in the season. [[Formula One drivers from the United Kingdom|Drivers from the United Kingdom]] have been the most successful in the sport, with 20 championships among 10 drivers, and {{#expr:204+{{F1stat|HAM|wins}}+{{F1stat|NOR|wins}}+{{F1stat|RUS|wins}}+0}} wins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Kingdom • STATS F1 |url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/united-kingdom.aspx |access-date=27 May 2024 |website=statsf1.com}}</ref>

===Physical demands===

Driving in Formula One is highly demanding physically, with drivers typically burning around 1,000 calories per hour and losing {{convert|2–4|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} of weight per race.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Gaines |first=Cork |title=Formula 1 drivers need to weigh the same at every race. See inside their intense training regimen. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/f1-drivers-weight-limit-fitness-training-diet-2023-10 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fit For F1: Why nutrition is so important for Formula 1 drivers |last=Hynes |first=Justin |date=25 February 2024 |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fit-for-f1-why-nutrition-is-so-important-for-formula-1-drivers.1kODg9YslcgdxBgKZT8FQ5 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Formula1.com |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807211658/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fit-for-f1-why-nutrition-is-so-important-for-formula-1-drivers.1kODg9YslcgdxBgKZT8FQ5}}</ref> A key reason for the physical demands is the extreme [[g-force]]s generated by driving at high speeds, with modern Formula One cars capable of generating forces of up to 6.5 ''g''s when cornering, 6 ''g''s when braking and 2 ''g''s when accelerating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video: Analysing 2017's massive rises in G-Force |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/video-analysing-2017s-massive-rises-in-g-force.vX8IhGjqmsaCoyy2uKKOi |date=31 March 2017 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Formula1.com |language=en |url-status=live |archive-date=5 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205025721/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/video-analysing-2017s-massive-rises-in-g-force.vX8IhGjqmsaCoyy2uKKOi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 January 2024 |title=G-Force in F1: What is it and how many G's do drivers experience during a race |url=https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1010709/f1-g-force/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=GPfans |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |title=I went through testing to discover what it takes to be a Formula One driver and I was left super impressed by just how fit, strong, and fast they have to be |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/f1-how-fit-strong-fast-do-drivers-have-to-be-2022-6 |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> When a driver experiences 6 ''g'', they will feel a force equivalent to six times their body weight; for a person weighing {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}, this would be {{convert|480|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=G-Force and Formula One: Explained |url=https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/g-force-and-formula-one-explained |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team |language=en-US}}</ref> Another factor is the high temperature inside the car, as the engine is mounted directly behind the driver. The temperature in the cockpit of a Formula One car can be as high as {{convert|60|°C|°F}} and drivers have to wear several layers of fireproof [[Racing suit|racing clothing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why cockpit heat is such a big issue for F1 drivers |date=21 October 2023 |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why-cockpit-heat-is-such-a-big-issue-for-f1-drivers/10535663/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why the Singapore Grand Prix is F1's toughest race |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-the-singapore-grand-prix-is-f1s-toughest-race/10617249/ |website=Autosport}}</ref> The steering wheel and brake pedal also require considerable strength to operate. Before the introduction of [[power steering]] in the 2000s, drivers had to cope with steering forces of up to {{convert|40–50|Nm|lbft}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summary of Honda Third-Era Formula One Chassis Development |url=https://www.hondarandd.jp/point.php?pid=595&lang=en |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Honda R&D Research Paper website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Development of Electric Power Steering System for F-1 Race Car |url=https://www.hondarandd.jp/point.php?pid=522&lang=en |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=Honda R&D Research Paper website}}</ref> while achieving maximum braking power requires drivers to apply around {{convert|330|lb|kg|abbr=on|0|order=flip}} of force to the brake pedal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Surprising Physical Demands of Being an F1 Driver |url=https://mph.com/news/54/the-surprising-physical-demands-of-being-an-f1-driver |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=mph |language=en}}</ref> Drivers also need to be light, as every extra kilogram of weight noticeably reduces performance.<ref name=":2" /> Drivers also need to train on cardiovascular fitness since heart rates can average more than 170 bpm during a race; this is more than a healthy adult would typically experience while running.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holding |first=Joe |date=22 March 2021 |title=F1 Driver Training, What's their workout regime, diet, cardio, & more |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-driver-training-workout-regime-diet-cardio/5847575/ |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=[[Motorsport.com]] |url-status=live |archive-date=28 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228190543/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-driver-training-workout-regime-diet-cardio/5847575/}}</ref>

===Feeder series===
{{See also|Formula racing|FIA Global Pathway from Karting to Formula One}}[[File:FIA F2 Austria 2024 Nr. 12 Colapinto.jpg|thumb|[[FIA Formula 2 Championship]], the main F1 feeder series since [[2017 FIA Formula Two Championship|2017]]]]
[[File:FIA F3 Austria 2024 Nr. 4 Fornaroli.jpg|thumb|[[FIA Formula 3 Championship]], the main F1 and F2 feeder series since [[2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship|2019]]]]
Most F1 drivers start in [[kart racing]] competitions and then progress through traditional entry level European single-seater series such as [[Formula Ford]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nickless |first=Steve |date=2019-01-07 |title=Don't call it a comeback: Formula Ford at 50 is showing fresh legs |url=https://racer.com/2019/01/07/dont-call-it-a-comeback-formula-ford-at-50-is-showing-fresh-legs/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=RACER |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Formula Renault]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=2020-11-20 |title=Where Formula Renault is headed next, and how it got there |url=https://formulascout.com/where-formula-renault-is-headed-next-and-how-it-got-there/70938 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Formula 4]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Messham |first=Paul |title=The Path to F1 |url=https://atlasf1.autosport.com/97/jpn/messham.html |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=atlasf1.autosport.com |publisher=[[Autosport]]}}</ref> From there, drivers typically progress to higher level regional championships at the [[Formula Three]] level. This included championships like [[British Formula 3 International Series|British F3]] and [[FIA Formula 3 European Championship|European F3]] historically, although similar series now hold the [[Formula Regional]] designation. In addition to this, there are also international F3 championships, including [[GP3 Series|GP3]] and its present-day successor [[FIA Formula 3 Championship|FIA F3]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Perceval |date=2023-02-25 |title=From F4 to F1: The feeder series ladder explained |url=https://feederseries.net/2023/02/25/from-f4-to-f1-the-feeder-series-ladder-explained/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Feeder Series |language=en}}</ref> The highest level series on the F1 ladder is the [[FIA Formula 2 Championship]]. In the past, the top level series was [[GP2 Series|GP2]] (2005–2016), [[International Formula 3000]] (1985–2004 under the [[Formula 3000]] class), and [[Formula Two]] (1948–1984).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiorucci |first=James |date=15 October 2022 |title=The F2 Report: A brief history of Formula 2 |url=https://www.grandprix247.com/2022/10/15/the-f2-report-a-brief-history-of-formula-2/ |access-date=15 March 2025 |website=GRANDPRIX247 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Drivers are not required to have competed at this level before entering Formula One. [[British F3]] has supplied many F1 drivers, with champions, including [[Nigel Mansell]], [[Ayrton Senna]] and [[Mika Häkkinen]] having moved straight from that series to Formula One, and [[Max Verstappen]] made his F1 debut following a single season in [[FIA Formula 3 European Championship|European F3]]. More rarely a driver may be picked from an even lower level, as was the case with [[2007 Formula One World Championship|2007]] World Champion [[Kimi Räikkönen]], who went straight from Formula Renault to F1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Five F1 champions who wouldn't have made their debuts|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/212868/1/five-f1-champions-who-wouldnt-have-made-their-debuts.html|website=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=8 January 2015|access-date=12 October 2015|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002165320/http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/212868/1/five-f1-champions-who-wouldnt-have-made-their-debuts.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[American open-wheel car racing]] has also contributed to the Formula One grid. [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] champions [[Mario Andretti]] and [[Jacques Villeneuve]] became F1 World Champions, while [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] won seven races in F1.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=Drivers active in both IndyCar and F1 |url=https://honda.racing/indy-car-series/post/drivers-in-both-indycar-and-f1 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=[[Honda Racing Corporation]] |language=en-US}}</ref>