- BGG rank
- BGG #16,483
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Le Mans
- 1–12 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 1961
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,877
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Formula 1
1962
Rules assistance for Formula 1
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30–120 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Formula 1
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Formula 1 is a board game released in 1962 for 2–6 players, 30–120 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by John Howarth and Trevor Jones (I) and its main mechanics are Race, Area Movement, and Dice Rolling.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,905
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Knights of Camelot
- 2–6 players
- 120–240 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1980
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,911
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Intruder
- 1–3 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1980
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,231
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Biathlon Blast
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #432
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Merchants & Marauders
- 2–4 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,407
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Orient Express
- 1–6 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1985
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,689
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Fief: France
- 3–6 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,982
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Armello: The Board Game
- 2–4 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2026
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,629
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Dead Man's Doubloons
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #657
- BGG rating
- 7.1
RoboRally
- 2–8 players
- 45–120 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 1994
- BGG rank
- BGG #121
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #687
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Legends of Andor
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2012
About the game
A simple racing game where speed and movement is decided by the driver and not the dice. Only when exceeding safety speeds on the bends are dice used to decide the penalty incurred. The players use "dashboards", cardboard cutouts resembling dashboards, complete with a speedometer and tire and brake wear gauges. Maximum acceleration is fixed, tire and brake wear may happen as a result of cornering too quickly—then there are the dreaded spinouts. A few tight spots exist, so blocking is also an effective tactic. Tactic cards (you get 5 for the entire race) put a few aces up your sleeve. They can give you an extra burst of speed or of cornering ability. Pit stops will get you fresh brakes and tires but you must reach them by exact count—otherwise you're forced into another lap. Also, pit cards throw a monkeywrench in—usually you'll lose a turn, but now and then you'll get extra fast service, a burst of speed in coming out of the pit, or special brakes good for one extra corner. The race runs for up to 10 laps; the player furthest past the finish line when all players have had the same number of turns wins. The game's simplicity makes it accessible to younger players, whilst it remains enjoyable by adults.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Schmidt Spiele
- Waddingtons
- Editrice Giochi
- Miro Company
- Majora
- Smeets & Schippers
- Brohm-Parker-Spiele
- Istituto Del Gioco (IDG)
- Tofa
Questions and answers
Formula 1 supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Formula 1 is 30–120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Formula 1 for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Formula 1 has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Formula 1 belongs to these categories: Racing and Sports. Its main mechanics are Race, Area Movement, and Dice Rolling. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Formula 1 are: John Howarth and Trevor Jones (I). These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Formula 1 as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.