The origin of the term lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post–World War II single-seater regulations, or formulae.

Most contemporary formula categories allow the use of racing slicks, and extensive use of wings and Ground effects to increase cornering speeds.

The first race to be run to the early Formula One regulations was a non-championship Grand Prix in Turin in September 1946.

Formula E is the highest class of competition for single-seat, electrically powered racing cars, which held its inaugural season in 2014–15.

Conceived in 2012, the championship was intended by the FIA to serve as an R&D platform for the electric vehicle and promote interest in EVs and sustainability.

[1] The series races predominately on temporary circuits in cities such as New York, Hong Kong, Zürich, Berlin, Rome, and Paris in events known as "ePrix".

[2] In order to cap costs but maintain technological development, the series uses a spec chassis and battery that must be used by all entrants, with competing teams permitted to design and build their own motors, inverter and rear suspension.

The series' first drivers' champion was Robert Shwartzman driving for Prema Racing, who also won the teams' championship that year.

At the end of the year, the FIA Formula 3 World Cup takes place during the Macau Grand Prix as a non-championship, season-ending event.

It was created to take over from the various F3 championships around the world after the FIA deemed that the title "Formula 3" would be exclusively used by the series that runs on F1 weekends known previously as GP3.

Each championship corresponds to one specific region: Asia, Americas, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East and Oceania (New Zealand).

The current series, founded by then-Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George, began in 1996 as the "Indy Racing League" (IRL).

The series was initially founded by Dan Andersen and Mike Foschi in 1990 and regularly fielded over 60 entries per race.

The USF Juniors is a new addition to the Road to Indy pathway, sanctioned by USAC in 2022, it is the equivalent to Formula 4.

It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula.

A1 Grand Prix (A1GP) was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series.

Another unique feature of Superleague Formula was the Super Final, a five-lap shootout between the six best drivers of a weekend.

In 2010, the series offered the biggest prize fund in European motorsport with the champion set to earn €1 million.

Karun Chandhok, for example, won the 2006 championship and was rewarded with a test in a World Series by Renault car at Paul Ricard.