You may have spent some time following Formula 1 and wondered how long each race takes. Each circuit has a different number of laps, so how do you determine the length of a race?
Today we will discuss the length of Formula 1 races. We will discuss why Formula 1 races are so long and how it is possible to keep them at this length.
How Long Does Formula 1 Races Take?
Although each Grand Prix may have a different number or length of laps depending upon the circuit where it is held, the overall race distance and time required to finish the race are almost always the same.
Each race is designed to cover as much distance as possible, i.e. 190 miles (305km). Races are also designed to be completed in under 2 hours. The majority of races are approximately 190 miles in length, but there are some shorter races (more on these later).
Why is this limit in place?
This is where you might be asking yourself why races are limited in their distance, and why this distance has been chosen by the FIA. The race distance was chosen to strike the right balance between entertainment value as well as cost-effectiveness.
Formula 1 is a spectator sports and draws large crowds. How exciting and engaging the race for fans is will depend on how long it takes. A race that is too short would result in not enough tension and a race that is too long would be dull.
It is important that the race’s length be sufficient to cover the costs associated with it and allow for enough TV time. The race should be long enough, but not too long, to keep fuel costs down and ensure that cars can finish entire races.
Each race is set up to allow for a time limit of two hours. This time limit is usually adhered to, regardless of how many laps are completed. There are exceptions. If the race is halted for an extended period of time because of something like an accident, bad weather, or other reasons, the limit will be increased to 3 hours.
How many laps are required to complete a race depends on how long the circuit is. Monaco Grand Prix has 78 laps, while Monaco Grand Prix has 44 laps.
Are there exceptions to this limit?
There are two exceptions to this 190-mile limit, as you can probably guess by the fact that we even mention it. The one is a small exception and the other is quite large.
Shanghai Grand Prix is the first exception to this limit. The Shanghai Grand Prix is the exception to this rule. It is approximately 189.56 mi long, which is half a mile less than the usual limit.
This limit is not broken by the exception of Monaco Grand Prix, which runs for a total of 161 miles (260 km). Monaco Grand Prix is an exception, running for just 161 miles (260km).
Monaco is a street circuit. This means that Monaco takes place on roads temporarily repurposed to host the race. Because the Grand Prix takes place on public roads, it is quite different from other Formula 1 circuits. This is due to the fact that the track has fewer high speed sections and is much narrower.
Monaco Circuit drivers can reach a much slower speed than any other circuit. Monaco Grand Prix laps average 161 km/h. Comparing that with the fastest Formula 1 circuit, Monza Grand Prix at 257 km/h, you can see the difference.
The Monaco circuit is also among the shortest Formula 1 circuits. The Monaco Grand Prix is the shortest Formula 1 circuit at 3.3km. This is why it has the longest laps, despite being the shortest race.
How have the lengths of races changed over time?
Over the decades, many changes have been made in Formula 1, including the length of each racing session.
The current time limit is 3 hours (two hours for the race, plus one hour if it needs to be suspended), and was only implemented in 2021. In the past, this time limit was four hours (2 hours per race, and two additional hours if there’s a suspension).
For a long time, the minimum distance for a race is 190 miles. 1989 established the standard limit at 190 miles. The race lengths were much more varied in the years before 1989.
Races were typically 190 miles long at the beginning of the sport, in 1950. However, they were often run for three hours or more. Race lengths were able to vary between 190 and 3310 miles (300-500 km) beginning in 1958.
1966 saw this reduced to between 19 and 250 miles (300 and 400 km). In 1971, a 321km (200 mile) maximum race length was established. Races became shorter from 1981 to 1984. Race lengths ranged between 160 and 200 mi.
