F101: Five Formula 1 questions you should probably know the answers to
23 April 2025We get it. If you’re new to Formula 1, there can be a lot to wrap your head around. That leads to some questions which you wouldn’t necessarily want to ask your F1 aficionado friends. Here, we’ll answer those questions.
Welcome to F101: a no-judgement zone where we answer the internet’s most asked Formula 1 questions.
Are F1 cars automatic?
Not exactly. F1 cars use semi-automatic gearboxes, which means the driver changes gear manually, but without the clutch pedal you'd find in a traditional manual road-going car.
Instead, they use paddle shifters located on the back of the steering wheel. The paddles move with the wheel to make changing gear easier while cornering and they are lightning-fast; depending on the car, they can take less than 50 milliseconds.
The concept of a semi-automatic gearbox was first developed by Ferrari in the 1989 season and other teams quickly followed suit.
So, while there's no clutch to stomp or gearstick to grind, calling F1 gearboxes automatic is a stretch. It’s more like ultra-refined manual shifting. Like everything in F1, they’re designed to perform at the highest levels and be as fast as possible.
Are F1 cars electric?
Short answer: no. But there’s more to it than that. F1 cars use hybrid power units, which combine a turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine with an electric motor system.
The electric components capture energy produced under braking and exhaust heat, which can then be redeployed to give the car extra power when needed.
So, they're not electric in the way many road cars are, but they’re still as efficient as they can be. They’re designed to extract maximum performance from every possible source of energy.
Can F1 cars reverse?
Yes, they can, but it’s a rare sight. All F1 cars are fitted with a reverse gear and the FIA regulations require it, but it’s rarely used in races.
When F1 drivers find themselves facing the wrong way, they usually prefer to add some flair to their recovery with a 180-degree turn instead of switching to reverse, which is awkward to find in an F1 gearbox.
Reverse gear is most commonly used on circuits like Baku, where narrow run-off areas present unique challenges when rejoining the track.
Can F1 drivers wear glasses?
They can and some have, but it’s not common. Vision is obviously critical in F1 and most drivers who need correction opt for contact lenses.
That being said, if a driver prefers specs and they aren't obstructive under the helmet and safety gear, there’s no rule against it. Drivers who have previously raced with glasses include Esteban Gutiérrez and Sébastien Bourdais.
Can F1 drivers listen to music while racing?
This one is definitely a no. During sessions, F1 drivers are in constant communication with their race engineers via radio and they rely on audio cues for everything from tyre feedback to engine issues and even beeps that prompt them to change gear. Throwing music into the mix would be incredibly distracting for a driver and potentially dangerous.
With heart rates regularly hitting 180 bpm and cars pulling 5G through corners, the last thing on a driver’s mind is a playlist.
Music is a big part of many drivers’ preparation routines and they’ll often be seen wearing headphones on the grid, but once the helmet goes on, the only soundtrack they need is the sound of an engine.
