How long is an F1 race? Laps, time, distance explained

Method 1 followers will discover that each grand prix lasts each a unique variety of laps and size of time, which makes it not like another motor racing classes on this planet.

It is because the collection runs to a particular distance somewhat than period of time – just like the Le Mans 24 Hours, 12 Hours of Sebring and extra – as a result of numerous circuits its calendar holds. That is to make sure each race is roughly the identical size, as a result of 70 laps round Silverstone might take double that of 70 laps in Montreal.

So as a substitute of a clock within the nook of the reside feed, it’s a lap depend to inform followers how shut the race is to ending.

Many alternative components due to this fact contribute to how lengthy an F1 grand prix is as some have taken shut to 5 hours to complete whereas others are finished in simply over 60 minutes. So right here is the whole lot to know in regards to the guidelines round race size, controversy that has occurred through the years and extra.

F1 race weekend format

Earlier than figuring out about how lengthy an F1 grand prix is, you will need to first be clear in regards to the weekend’s format and what comes earlier than the race.

For a conventional weekend the collection begins with two, one-hour observe periods on a Friday. It offers groups an excellent probability to run completely different automobile set-ups, full testing programmes, check out upgrades and if it’s a new monitor – like Las Vegas in 2023 – then Friday is a chance to study extra in regards to the circuit.

There may be then a 3rd and last observe session on Saturday and that is a chance for groups to start out testing their one-lap tempo forward of qualifying later within the day, which determines the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.

Nonetheless, 2021 noticed the introduction of the dash race format. This occurs on choose weekends within the 12 months and over 2023 there have been six: Austin, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil and Qatar. This was introduced in as a substitute for the normal weekend, as there may be racing on Saturday and Sunday.

So on a 2023 dash weekend, a observe periods begins issues on Friday however that’s the solely observe session of the weekend. What follows on Friday is qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, with dash qualifying after which the dash race on Saturday.

Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23, Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing RB19, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB19, the remainder of the sector at first

What number of laps are there in an F1 race?

Each F1 race has a unique variety of laps as a result of the minimal size of a grand prix is 190 miles (305 kilometres) so they’re given the scheduled variety of excursions it takes to roughly attain that mark.

This implies grands prix on smaller tracks have extra laps than these on larger ones – for instance Zandvoort is barely 2.6 miles (4.259km) in size which is sort of half that of Spa-Francorchamps. Because of this, the Dutch Grand Prix is 72 laps whereas the Belgian GP is simply 44, but drivers full the identical race distance at each occasions.

Nonetheless, there may be an exception to this rule and that’s Monaco whose minimal race distance is 160 miles (257km). Whereas it’s the calendar’s smallest circuit at simply over two miles (3.337km), additionally it is a sluggish lap as Max Verstappen’s common pace when he received the 2021 race was 98mph in comparison with 179mph for his victory in Bahrain, which additionally had a security automobile and due to this fact impacted the general complete.

This meant a number of years in the past when F1 automobiles had been slower than they’re in the present day, it was robust to finish 190 miles round Monaco whereas working to the two-hour time restrict grands prix are given.

Monaco additionally has essentially the most variety of laps (78) of any circuit, but drivers are nonetheless solely finishing 160 miles which additional highlights why it must run to a decrease minimal distance.

Dash races are actually an element as effectively. It is a 62-mile (99.8km) sprint which primarily makes it a shortened model of the Sunday race, with roughly a 3rd of the factors being awarded.

Identical to the grand prix, dash races can fluctuate within the variety of laps relying on the circuit. There have been simply 11 for the dash race at Spa in 2023, versus 24 laps on the Pink Bull Ring with Baku (17), Circuit of the Americas (19), Losail (19) and Interlagos (24) differing as effectively.

Scheduled distance of each F1 grand prix in 2024

How lengthy does an F1 race take?

Though every race has a scheduled variety of laps, it’s nonetheless towards a clock to get the total distance finished.

That’s as a result of F1 has two hours to finish the scheduled distance from lights out, however for differing components whether or not it’s a number of security automobiles, sluggish laps and many others, typically it can’t be accomplished inside the time restrict. Subsequently, if a race hits two hours then the grand prix finishes on the finish of the subsequent full lap no matter what number of excursions have been accomplished.

Picture by: Patrick Vinet / Motorsport Images

A marshal waves the pink flag

As well as, that two hours is barely given for monitor time but the race would possibly come to a halt due to a pink flag. Subsequently, in case of such F1 has a three-hour window to get two hours of monitor time accomplished from the second the grand prix has formally begun.

However normally, races attain the scheduled distance with out coming near the time restrict. As seen under, the grands prix in 2023 have roughly taken 90 minutes for the race winner to take the chequered flag.

*Complete time contains any stoppages

Picture by: Jake Grant / Motorsport Images

Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB19, 1st place, leads Sir Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, 2nd place, because the chequered flag is waved

This rule was carried out after the controversial, rain-hit 2021 Belgian GP which was merely a two-lap procession behind the protection automobile as circumstances had been deemed unsafe to race in. Regardless of no precise racing laps being accomplished underneath inexperienced flag circumstances, all F1 wanted on the time was not less than two excursions behind a security automobile for half factors to be awarded.

It put the collection underneath the cosh as a result of some accused F1 of simply attempting to get to that two-lap minimal earlier than awarding factors, as a substitute of discovering different options in order that followers might truly watch some racing. It was due to this fact arduous for some to name it a ‘race’, regardless of a big chunk of factors being awarded.

Picture by: Rainer W. Schlegelmilch / Motorsport Images

The automobiles beneath marquees in the course of the pink flag interval

What’s the longest race in F1 historical past?

The well-known 2011 Canadian GP holds the report for being the longest F1 race in historical past at 4h04m39.537s. That day Montreal was hit by heavy rainfall and it was that dangerous the race needed to begin underneath a security automobile.

Inexperienced flag circumstances didn’t arrive till 5 laps in the place Sebastian Vettel led the grand prix however Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber collided at Flip 1 of their battle for fourth. It price each drivers a number of positions and on lap seven when making an attempt to climb again up the order, Hamilton was put into the pitwall by then McLaren team-mate Jenson Button as visibility proved robust, and the 2009 world champion couldn’t see him coming via.

This prompted one other security automobile interval and Button used it as a chance to modify to intermediate tyres with circumstances enhancing. However it was not so easy for the McLaren driver as he was first given a drive-through penalty for rushing behind the protection automobile, earlier than heavier rain quickly fell which means he needed to change again to full wets.

The rain turned more durable and by lap 19 one other security automobile interval was referred to as, earlier than the grand prix obtained red-flagged six excursions later due to the circumstances. It was then suspended for simply over two hours till the climate started to enhance once more.

One other security automobile interval led the primary eight laps after the restart, however inexperienced flag circumstances solely lasted one tour. It is because the protection automobile was as soon as once more required as Fernando Alonso collided with Button at Flip 3 which left a puncture on the McLaren however the Ferrari automobile within the wall.

Button due to this fact pitted and was down in twenty first when the race restarted three excursions afterward lap 40. However upon the restart, Button along with his brisker tyres coped with the circumstances significantly better than others as he quickly progressed via the order and was 14th by lap 44.

From this level on the race was uninterrupted and Button in the end claimed essentially the most unlikely of victories, after Vettel ran large at Flip 6 on the ultimate lap to present the McLaren driver the race lead. Button subsequently took the chequered flag after a report six security automobile intervals and a pink flag interval.

The 2011 Canadian GP additionally belongs to the checklist of F1 data that may by no means be damaged. Within the aftermath, F1 launched a four-hour time restrict for grands prix to be accomplished – later decreased to 3 for 2021 – which means no race can exceed that of Montreal in 2011.

Picture by: Erik Junius

The 2021 Belgian GP is F1’s shortest ever race

What’s the shortest race in F1 historical past?

The 2021 Belgian GP holds the report for the shortest F1 race in historical past at 3m27.071s, which prompted Hamilton to say followers had been “robbed” of a grand prix.

After over three hours of delays and suspended begins, the protection automobile lastly led drivers out of the pitlane which formally commenced the race. Two laps had been accomplished behind the protection automobile earlier than the race obtained suspended throughout a 3rd lap and to not be resumed, which handed victory to Verstappen.