Heard your friends scream about tyre strategies and DRS and thought, “Maybe I should start watching F1…” but had no idea where to begin?
Don’t worry — you’re not alone, and you’re not too late. F1 is more exciting (and more accessible) than ever. Whether you got curious after Drive to Survive, stumbled across a wild team radio clip, or just want to join the race-day hype, here’s a simple, non-intimidating guide to getting into Formula 1 as a new fan in 2025.
🏁 Step 1: Watch a Full Race — Live or Replay
Start by watching a race from start to finish. Don’t worry if you don’t know what everything means — just watch, enjoy the visuals, and soak it in.
- Where to watch in India: F1 TV Pro or FanCode
- Best races to try: Silverstone 🇬🇧, Brazil 🇧🇷, Spa 🇧🇪, or Monaco 🇲🇨
- Need a schedule? Download the 2025 race calendar here
📺 Step 2: Try Watching Qualifying + Sprint (If It’s a Sprint Weekend)
Each race weekend has more than just the Sunday race. There’s:
- Qualifying (Friday or Saturday): Drivers battle for grid positions.
- Sprint (on Sprint Weekends): A short race that adds drama and points.
These are usually quick, intense, and give great insight into driver performance.
👀 Step 3: Pick a Favorite Driver or Team
This makes the sport instantly more fun. Whether you go for:
- Lewis Hamilton – 🐐 energy, huge fanbase
- Max Verstappen – dominant, ruthless
- Charles Leclerc – the Ferrari heartthrob
- Lando Norris – meme king and rising star
- Yuki Tsunoda – chaotic radio legend
Or maybe you root for the underdog teams like Haas, Williams, or Sauber (formerly Alfa Romeo).
🔤 Step 4: Learn Basic Terms — Slowly
Don’t worry about understanding all the technical stuff at once. Here are a few basics to start with:
- DRS: Drag Reduction System – a speed boost in certain zones
- Under/Overcut: Pit stop strategies to gain time
- Q1/Q2/Q3: Rounds of qualifying
- Tyre compounds: Soft (fast), Medium, Hard (durable)
You’ll learn more naturally by watching and listening to commentary.
🎧 Step 5: Listen to Team Radios & Post-Race Interviews
F1 isn’t just about driving — the real drama is in the team radio and interviews.
They’re funny, savage, and super emotional. Start with: Top 10 Funniest F1 Team Radios
📱 Step 6: Follow F1 Content Creators, YouTubers & Memers
Instagram, Twitter (X), and YouTube have made F1 way more fun to follow:
- @f1troll – for memes
- WTF1 – casual but smart insights
- F1 YouTubers: Chain Bear, TommoF1, Driver61
Bonus: Watch Drive to Survive (Netflix) — it’s dramatic and fun, but just remember: real F1 is a bit different.
🎁 Optional but Fun: Buy Some Fan Gear
Wearing team or driver merch makes the experience more personal — especially on race weekends.
👉 Check out Raceboard’s unofficial F1 fan merch for clean, race-inspired designs you can actually wear outside.
🧠 FAQs for New F1 Fans
Is F1 hard to follow as a new fan?
No — you’ll pick up the basics in 1–2 races. It’s way easier than it looks from the outside.
Is watching every race necessary?
Nope. Watch what you can. Highlights on YouTube or Instagram Reels keep you updated.
What’s the difference between qualifying and the race?
Qualifying sets the starting positions. The race is where points and glory are earned.