Formula racing

Formula racing—called open-wheel racing in North America—covers a range of single-seater motorsport where the wheels are exposed. The term "formula" refers to a specific set of technical rules for a car type, a concept the FIA first introduced for its post–World War II single-seater events. Among the most famous categories are Formula One, Formula E, Formula Two, Formula Three, regional Formula Three, and Formula Four. The phrase is also commonly applied to other open-wheel series like the IndyCar Series and Super Formula Championship.

Lower tiers such as Formula Three and Formula Two are known as junior, lower, or feeder formulae, sitting below top-level series like Formula One on the career ladder of single-seater racing. Two main types of formula exist: open formula, where teams can pick their own chassis or engine, and control or "spec" formula, which mandates a single supplier for both chassis and engine. Formula Three is an open formula, while Formula BMW is a control formula. Formula Ford is an exception, with an open chassis rule but a single-brand engine requirement.

Not every formula series is a high-cost professional affair, even though Formula One is the world's most expensive motorsport. Some formulas target juniors and amateurs; Formula 1000 and Formula Vee rank among the cheapest forms of circuit racing. Most modern formula categories permit racing slicks and extensive use of wings and ground effects to boost cornering speeds. However, popular amateur classes like Formula Ford and Formula Vee do without these, resulting in much slower cornering and a greater reliance on drafting. The term "wings and slicks racing" sometimes separates the faster categories from the slower ones.

**World championships**

**Formula One** After World War II, the FIA's Commission Sportive Internationale set the standardized rules for Formula One in 1946 while reviving Grand Prix racing. The first race under those early regulations was a non-championship Grand Prix in Turin in September 1946. The first officially recognized Formula One season took place in 1947, and the World Championship for Drivers began in 1950.

**Formula E** Formula E is the top tier for single-seat, electrically powered racing cars, launching its first season in 2014–15. Conceived in 2012, the FIA intended it as a research and development platform for electric vehicles and a way to boost interest in EVs and sustainability. The series mainly runs on temporary city circuits in places like New York, Hong Kong, Zürich, Berlin, Rome, and Paris, with events called "ePrix." To control costs while allowing technological progress, it uses a spec chassis and battery that all entrants must use, but teams can design their own motors, inverter, and rear suspension. The series has grown in popularity in recent years.

**International championships**

**Formula 2** The FIA Formula 2 Championship debuted in 2017, created by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore after the GP2 Series was rebranded. Designed to be affordable and serve as a training ground for Formula One, F2 requires all teams to use the same chassis, engine, and tire supplier.

**Formula 3** In 2019, the GP3 Series was replaced by international Formula 3, mirroring the GP2-to-Formula 2 rebranding of 2017. The first drivers' champion was Robert Shwartzman with Prema Racing, which also won the teams' title that year. Until 2024, the FIA Formula 3 World Cup was held at the end of the season during the Macau Grand Prix, but it was later discontinued for various reasons. Since then, Formula Regional cars have raced at the Macau Grand Prix instead of Formula 3 cars.

**Regional championships**

**Formula Regional** Formula Regional is the last category that does not run as part of Formula One event weekends. It was created to replace the various F3 championships worldwide after the FIA decided the "Formula 3" name would be used exclusively for the series that runs on F1 weekends (formerly GP3). Each championship covers a specific region: Asia, Americas, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East, and Oceania (New Zealand).

**National championships**

**Formula 4** FIA Formula 4, or FIA F4, is an open-wheel category for junior drivers. There is no global championship; instead, individual nations or regions can host their own series under a universal set of rules and specifications. The FIA created it as an entry-level category to bridge the gap between karting and Formula 3, and it is part of the FIA Global Pathway.

**North America**

**IndyCar Series** The IndyCar Series is the top formula racing category in North America. The sport's roots go back to 1905. The current series was founded in 1996 by then-Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George as the "Indy Racing League" (IRL). In 2008, it merged with the rival Champ Car World Series (formerly CART) to form the IndyCar Series. A typical season includes races on natural terrain road courses, temporary street circuits, small ovals (short tracks), and larger high-speed ovals (superspeedways), including the historic Indianapolis 500.

**Indy NXT** Indy NXT, previously called Indy Lights, is the top feeder series for the IndyCar Series, similar to how Formula 2 feeds Formula One.