We round up the all the time limits and rules regarding the length of Formula 1 races, including the number of laps per race.
One of the reasons why F1 is the ultimate test of driver skill is endurance, with drivers’ concentration and physical ability tested for around 90 minutes.
F1 drivers are supreme athletes who have over time, developed an ability to deal with G Forces and blazing hot temperatures at certain venues.
Drivers are subjected to long races and with the number of races growing each year and a season last from March to December, it is even more vital they are refreshed and ready.
Races a set to a number of pre-determined laps depending on how long the circuit is and RadioTimes.com will take a deeper dive into a how long a Grand Prix takes to complete.
Check out more Formula 1 coverage: F1 calendar 2024 | Watch F1 on TV | Listen to F1 on radio | F1 highlights | F1 presenters | F1 on Channel 4
How long does an F1 race last?
Every race on the F1 calendar is designed to last approximately 90 minutes, though some will invariably last longer or shorter.
The minimum distance a Grand Prix can be held over is 190 miles (305km), the only exception being Monaco, which runs at 160 miles (260km).
All circuits are varied in terms of their length and overall speed meaning a different number of laps are required for completion of the minimum distance.
The traditional formula used for calculating the number of laps is 305 (the minimum distance of a Grand Prix in kilometres) divided by the length of one lap (in kilometres). For example, the track at Spa is 7km long. 350 divided by 7 leaves us with 43.5 and rounded up, that sets the Belgian Grand Prix at 44 laps.
In terms of time, races have a two-hour window for completion. A race will end in that time window even if the pre-determined number of laps are not completed.
However, if inclement weather conditions halt a race, or there is a bad crash which leads to a red flag, then the race can last up to three hours from the point at which it started.
How many laps in each F1 Grand Prix?
Here is the list of all races due to take place in 2024, listed from fewest to most laps:
- Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – 44 laps
- Jeddah Corniche, Saudi Arabia – 50 laps
- Las Vegas GP – 50 laps
- Baku City, Azerbaijan – 51 laps
- Silverstone, Britain – 52 laps
- Monza, Italy – 53 laps
- Suzuka, Japan – 53 laps
- Circuit of the Americas, United States – 56 laps
- Shanghai, China – 56 laps
- Sakhir, Bahrain – 57 laps
- Miami Autodrome, Miami GP – 57 laps
- Lusail, Qatar – 57 laps
- Albert Park, Australia – 58 laps
- Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi GP – 58 laps
- Marina Bay, Singapore – 62 laps
- Imola, Emilia Romagna GP – 63 laps
- Catalunya, Spain – 66 laps
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Canada – 70 laps
- Hungaroring, Hungary – 70 laps
- Red Bull Ring, Austria – 71 laps
- Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico – 71 laps
- Interlagos, Sao Paulo GP – 71 laps
- Zandvoort, Netherlands – 72 laps
- Monte Carlo, Monaco – 78 laps
What are the longest and shortest races ever recorded?
The longest ever Formula One race was in 1951 – the French Grand Prix held at the Reims-Gueux circuit.
The track, which stopped hosting F1 races in 1966 and has since been partly demolished, was 4.85 miles long as drivers were tasked with completing 77 laps.
Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio won the race en route to his first-ever driver’s title, in a time of three hours and 22 minutes.
At the other end of the scale, the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix was the shortest race of all time.
Atrocious weather conditions meant the start of the race was severely delayed and only a couple of laps were held behind the safety car before it was canned.
Half points were awarded as Max Verstappen crossed the line to win after just over three minutes of “racing”.
Only three other races in the history of the sport have lasted under an hour, all due to bad weather while the shortest race to complete the full distance was the 2003 Italian Grand Prix with Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher winning in one hour and 14 minutes.
If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our Sport hub for all the latest news.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.