Ergast-py

A comprehensive Python wrapper for the Ergast API. Built for easy use and functionality, Ergast-py aims to bring the Ergast API into the Python network as seemlessly as possible.

What is Ergast?

Ergast is a free, experimental API for accessing motor-racing data, dating back to the beginning of World Championships in 1950. The website provides plenty of detail into how effective the API can be, and the many options that are available for data gathering using it.

Why should I use Ergast-Py?

Ergast-Py provides a clean, Python orientated wrapper for this API. It has been designed to remove the heavy lifting of handling the API formatting behind the scenes, allowing developers to easily access the data that is relevant to them. All the data is conformed into clean class code, allowing for users to keep a Python-centric mindset whilst developing.

How to install

Ergast-py is a pip package, so can be installed with the pip command:

pip install ergast-py

Usage

Once ergast-py is installed on your system you can then begin using the library in querying the ergast API. To begin, initialise an instance of the Ergast() class.

Note: Whilst the package is called ergast-py, you need to import ergast_py

from ergast_py import ergast.Ergast

e = Ergast()

Queries can then be built up with function calls in a sequential manner. Once you’ve built up a query, finally define what data you wish to get using a get_xyz() function.

# http://ergast.com/api/f1/2008/5/results
race_results = e.season(2008).round(5).get_results()

# http://ergast.com/api/f1/drivers/massa
felipe_massa = e.driver_str("massa").get_drivers()

# http://ergast.com/api/f1/current/constructorStandings/3
constructor_standings = e.season().standing(3).get_constructor_standings()

Structure and Types

Ergast-py has many models which allow the user to more effectively use and manipulate the data available to them through Ergast. All models of data are available through .models.xyz.

Available models in ergast-py

Name	Description
AverageSpeed	The average speed achieved during a fastest lap
Circuit	Details about a Formula One circuit
ConstructorStanding	A single constructor’s representation in the standings
Constructor	A Formula One constructor
DriverStanding	A single driver’s representation in the standings
Driver	A Formula One driver
FastestLap	A fastest lap achieved by a driver
Lap	Details about a drivers lap
Location	The position of a circuit
PitStop	Details about a driver’s pit stop
Race	Full representation of a Formula One race
Result	Details about a driver’s result
Season	Details about a Formula One season
StandingsList	A list of standings; constructors or drivers
Status	Details about the final status of a driver in a race
Timing	Details about the timings of a driver during a lap

Query building

There are 3 types of query available in the Ergast() class. FILTER functions build up the query, by filtering down the data that you will receive. PAGING functions control the flow of data if there is excessive amounts, limiting it to not overflow the API. RETURN functions detail what type of data you’re expecting back from the query.

The order of the builder functions is inconsequential, however the final function called should be a return function.

    Ergast().{paging/filter}.{return}

More detail on the available functions within the Ergast() class is available below.

FILTER functions

Name	Arguments	Notes
season	year: int	If you call season with no arguments it will default to the current season
round	round: int	If you call round with no arguments it will default to the last round
driver	driver: Driver	The Driver equivalent of driver_str
driver_str	driver: str	The String equivalent of driver. Must use driver’s driverId
constructor	constructor: Constructor	The Constructor equivalent of constructor_str
constructor_str	constructor: str	The String equivalent of constructor. Must use constructor’s constructorId
qualifying	position: int	Position at the end of qualifying
sprint	position: int
grid	position: int	Position lined up on the grid
result	position: int
fastest	position: int	Ranking in list of each drivers fastest lap
circuit	circuit: Circuit	The Circuit equivalent of circuit_str
circuit_str	circuit: str	The String equivalent of circuit. Must use circuit’s circuitId
status	status: int	The Integer equivalent of status_string. Must use statusId
status_str	status: str	The String equivalent of status
standing	position: int	Position of Driver or Constructor in standing
lap	lap_number: int
pit_stop	stop_number: int

PAGING functions

Name	Arguments
limit	amount: int
offset	amount: int

RETURN functions

Name	Return Type
get_circuits	list[Circuit]
get_constructors	list[Constructor]
get_drivers	list[Driver]
get_qualifying	list[Race]
get_sprints	list[Race]
get_results	list[Race]
get_races	list[Race]
get_seasons	list[Season]
get_statuses	list[Status]
get_driver_standings	list[StandingsList]
get_constructor_standings	list[StandingsList]
get_laps	list[Race]
get_pit_stops	list[Race]

Credits

This library would not be possible without the freely available Ergast API. For full information about the API and it’s responsible use, please refer to their website.