Opinion

October 30, 2026

Why you should start watching F1

By: Rayne Coffee

Staff Writer

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2026 took place on Oct. 25 in Austin, Texas.*

Those who are unfamiliar with Formula 1 may dismiss it as just cars driving around in circles, but it's actually a lot more exciting than that. This motorsport is all about rivalries, high speed and skill, and making split-second decisions throughout the race. Even without knowing every technical detail about cars, the excitement in these races is hard to miss.

Many fans watch F1 races for the drama and rivalry between the drivers. The tension extends beyond the track between teammates and rivals, making each race feel more personal. One of the most popular drivers, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, currently has a rivalry with his teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Their relationship hit a breaking point on Sept. 6, at the Italian Grand Prix when Leclerc performed an incredibly aggressive opening-lap move on Hamilton, completely forcing him off the track.

But all this tension between the drivers isn’t the only thing that makes F1 races exciting. This sport combines extremely high speed with precision, deep concentration, and fast reflexes needed to control these cars. Race car drivers need to know exactly when the right moment to brake is, how to navigate sharp turns, and avoid collisions, all while reaching speeds of 210 to 235 miles per hour. One small mistake during a race can cost a driver their position or even lead to a crash. The skills of these drivers are always nerve wracking and thrilling for fans to witness.

The rivalries between drivers make every race more interesting.

F1’s mental game is just as big as the physical side of this sport. Drivers and their teams have to constantly make decisions and come up with strong strategies on the spot that may change the whole outcome of the race, constantly keeping the audience guessing about what will happen next. These split second decisions include drivers reacting to rival overtakes or incidents and crashes that happen on the track. The team also has to decide when the driver’s car tires need to be changed and calculate how much time it takes so that the driver can attempt to make up the lost time.

F1's combination of high speeds and complex strategy makes it an exciting sport for anyone to enjoy.

Although people who are inexperienced with watching Formula 1 may be uninterested or think that it's boring, it's a lot more entertaining than it appears at first glance. The combination of intense rivalries, extraordinary driving skills, and strategic decisions makes every Grand Prix a unique experience and fun to watch.

*Photos taken from google

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