Motorsport
Motorsport is racing cars, motorcycles and other vehicles, in series run over a season or single events such as the Dakar Rally. The rules set covers Formula 1: a season has up to 24 Grands Prix, and a standard weekend has three practice sessions, qualifying to set the grid and a race of a little over 305 km. The race starts when five red lights go out.
New to motorsport? Start here
How long
A Formula 1 race is a little over 305 km, with a two-hour limit
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Formula 1 World ChampionshipThe top single-seater series.Yearly season · Holder: Lando Norris drivers' champion with McLaren
- 2MotoGP World ChampionshipThe top motorcycle road-racing series.Yearly season · Holder: Marc Márquez, Ducati
- 3Dakar RallyThe best-known rally raid; Indian riders and a team compete.Yearly · Holder: Nasser Al-Attiyah
India
There has been no Indian champion in Formula 1 or MotoGP and no Indian podium at the Dakar Rally in cars, bikes or trucks [the three pages].
- Formula 1 World Championship: No Indian champion
- MotoGP World Championship: No Indian champion
- Dakar Rally: No Indian podium in the cars, bikes or trucks
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- FranceFormula 1 World Championship: 4 titles (latest 1993); Dakar Rally: 50 golds, 44 silvers, 44 bronzes (latest 2025)
- United KingdomFormula 1 World Championship: 21 titles (latest 2025); MotoGP World Championship: 17 titles (latest 1977)
- ItalyMotoGP World Championship: 22 titles (latest 2023); Dakar Rally: 10 golds, 5 silvers, 9 bronzes (latest 2006)
- SpainMotoGP World Championship: 13 titles (latest 2025); Dakar Rally: 11 golds, 15 silvers, 9 bronzes (latest 2026)
- United StatesFormula 1 World Championship: 2 titles (latest 1978); MotoGP World Championship: 15 titles (latest 2006)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | FIA, 2026 F1 Regulations, Section B: Sporting, issue 7; the rules set covers Formula 1 only |
| International federation | FIA for Formula 1; the other series are not covered by the rules set |
| In India | Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI): provisionally recognised for motor sports, on the MYAS list for 2026 |
The rules set covers Formula 1 only.
Where and when it is played
On circuits for Formula 1. The big events: the Formula 1 and MotoGP World Championships (each a season a year) and the Dakar Rally every year.