Covering everything from DRS and G-force to oversteer, slipstreaming, tyre warmers, and turbulence, this guide offers clear explanations of the most frequently used F1 terms. You’ll be speaking the language of Formula 1 like a seasoned fan in no time.
A
107% Rule
In the first phase of qualifying, any driver who does not set a lap time within 107% of the fastest Q1 lap will not be permitted to start the race. However, under exceptional circumstances—such as if a driver set a competitive time during practice—the stewards may allow the car to participate in the race.
Aerodynamics
The study of airflow over and around objects, aerodynamics is a crucial aspect of Formula One car design, affecting speed and handling.
Airbox
Located above the driver’s head, the airbox is the engine’s air intake and also serves as the car’s roll hoop for safety.
Apex
The apex is the middle point of the inside line of a corner. Drivers aim to hit this point to maximise speed and efficiency through the turn.
Appeal
An appeal is an action taken by a team on behalf of its driver if they believe the driver has been unfairly penalised by race officials.
Autoclave
An autoclave is a device that uses heat and pressure to ‘cure’ carbon fibre, the primary material used in constructing Formula One cars.
B
Backmarker
A backmarker is a driver at the back of the field. When race leaders encounter backmarkers, they are shown blue flags, indicating they should let faster cars pass.
Ballast
Ballast is weight strategically placed around the car to optimise balance and ensure the car meets the minimum weight requirement.
Bargeboard
A bargeboard is a piece of bodywork mounted vertically between the front wheels and the sidepods. It helps smooth the airflow around the sides of the car.
Blistering
Blistering occurs when a tyre overheats, causing the rubber to soften and break away in chunks. This can be due to an inappropriate tyre compound, excessive tyre pressure, or poor car setup.
Bodywork
Bodywork refers to the carbon fibre sections attached to the monocoque before the car leaves the pits, including parts like the engine cover, cockpit top, and nosecone.
Bottoming
Bottoming happens when a car’s chassis hits the track surface, usually during sharp compressions when the suspension reaches its lowest point.
Brake Balance
Brake balance is a switch in the cockpit that allows the driver to adjust the distribution of braking power between the front and rear wheels.
C
CAD
Short for Computer-Aided Design, CAD is a method used to design Formula One cars digitally.
Camber
Camber is the angle at which a tyre leans into or away from the car relative to the vertical axis. Adjusting camber can improve a car’s handling characteristics.
CFD
Short for Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD is a tool that uses complex mathematical models and simulations to predict aerodynamic airflow. It is often used alongside wind tunnel testing.
Chassis
The chassis is the main structure of a racing car to which the engine and suspension are attached.
Chicane
A chicane is a tight sequence of corners in alternating directions, usually added to a circuit to slow down the cars, especially before what was previously a high-speed corner.
Clean Air
Clean air is air that is not turbulent, providing optimal aerodynamic conditions. Cars at the front of the field benefit most from clean air.
Coanda Effect
The Coanda effect is the tendency of a fluid, such as airflow, to be attracted to a nearby surface. In F1, aerodynamicists use this effect to direct airflow to specific parts of the car, such as from the exhaust exit to the rear diffuser.
Cockpit
The cockpit is the section of the chassis where the driver sits.
Compound
The compound refers to the tread material of a tyre that makes contact with the track. It is a critical factor in tyre performance, balancing grip, durability, and heat resistance. Formula One race compounds are complex mixtures, often with more than ten ingredients, each affecting performance.
D
Debrief
A meeting is held between a team’s drivers and engineers after an on-track session to discuss car setup, performance, and strategy.
Degradation
This term describes how a tyre loses performance or grip over time. It is different from tyre wear, which refers to the physical wearing away of the tread.
Delta Time
Refers to the time difference between two laps or two different cars. For example, a driver’s best qualifying lap typically has a negative delta compared to their best practice lap due to using a lower fuel load and fresh tyres.
Diffuser
The diffuser is the part of the car’s floor or undertray located at the rear, where the air flowing underneath the car exits. The design of the diffuser is critical because it controls the speed at which this air exits; faster exit speeds result in lower pressure beneath the car, creating more downforce.
Downforce
An aerodynamic force that pushes the car downward as it moves forward, improving traction and handling through corners.
Drag
The aerodynamic resistance encountered by a car as it moves forward.
Drive-through Penalty
This is one of two penalties that the stewards can impose during a race. The driver must enter the pit lane, drive through it at the speed limit, and rejoin the race without stopping.
Drivers’ Briefing
A meeting involving all drivers and the FIA race director to discuss specific issues related to the upcoming Grand Prix and circuit. Topics such as driving standards and safety may also be covered.
DRS
The Drag Reduction System (DRS), also known as adjustable rear wings, allows drivers to adjust the rear wing between two pre-set positions from the cockpit. DRS can be used anytime during practice and qualifying (unless wet-weather tyres are fitted), but in a race, it is only activated when a driver is within one second of the car ahead at designated points on the track. The system is deactivated when the driver brakes. DRS, like KERS, is intended to enhance overtaking opportunities but is not mandatory.
E
ECU
The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is a standard component in all F1 cars that controls various electrical systems, including the engine and gearbox.
Endplate
Endplates are the vertical panels located at the outer edges of a car’s front and rear wings. They are crucial as they support the main wing elements and play a significant role in aerodynamics.
Energy Store
The Energy Store (ES) is a key part of an F1 car’s powertrain and Energy Recovery System (ERS). Typically consisting of lithium-ion batteries, it is located in the fuel cell and weighs between 20-25 kg. The Energy Store can hold or return up to 4MJ of energy per lap, although the Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K) is limited to charging it with 2MJ per lap.
ERS
Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) in F1 cars consist of Motor Generator Units that capture waste heat energy from the turbocharger and waste kinetic energy from the braking system. This recovered energy is stored and used to boost the car’s performance. F1 cars have two types of ERS: the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) and the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat). These units work alongside an Energy Store (ES) and control electronics, providing up to 120kW of power (approximately 160bhp) for about 33 seconds per lap.
F
Flat Spot
A flat spot is a heavily worn area on a tyre, usually caused by extreme braking or spinning. This damage can ruin the tyre’s handling, often leading to severe vibration and potentially forcing the driver to pit for a new set of tyres.
Formation Lap
The formation lap is the lap before the race officially starts. During this lap, the cars drive around the track from the grid to return to the grid again for the race start. This lap is also known as the warm-up lap or parade lap.
G
G-Force
G-force is a measure of physical force equivalent to one unit of gravity. In Formula 1, drivers experience high G-forces when cornering, accelerating, and braking rapidly due to the extreme changes in direction and velocity.
Graining
Graining occurs when a car slides, causing small rubber bits to break away from the tyre’s grooves and stick to the tread. This creates a layer of separation between the tyre and the track, making the car feel like it is driving on ball bearings. While careful driving can clear graining over a few laps, it impacts the driver’s pace and is influenced by driving style, track conditions, car setup, fuel load, and tyre type.
Gravel Trap
A gravel trap is a bed of gravel located on the outside of corners designed to slow down and stop cars that go off the circuit.
Grip
Grip refers to the amount of traction a car has at any given point, directly affecting the driver’s ability to maintain control through corners.
H
Handling
Handling describes a car’s responsiveness to driver input and its ability to navigate corners effectively. A well-handling car is usually balanced and does not exhibit excessive understeer or oversteer.
HANS Device
The Head and Neck Support Device (HANS) is a mandatory safety device that fits over the driver’s shoulders and attaches to the back of the helmet. It is designed to prevent excessive head and neck movement in the event of an accident.
Headrest
The headrest is the removable, energy-absorbing foam surrounding the driver’s helmet in the cockpit. Depending on the ambient temperature, it comes in three different grades of foam.
Heat Cycle
A heat cycle refers to the process in which a tyre is heated through use and then cooled down. This process can slightly alter the properties of the tyre compound, often improving its durability.
I
Installation Lap
An installation lap is a lap completed upon arrival at a circuit to test various functions such as throttle, brakes, and steering. The driver then returns to the pits without crossing the finish line.
J
Jump Start
A jump start occurs when a driver moves off their grid position before the five red lights are turned off to signal the race start. Sensors detect this premature movement, resulting in a penalty for the driver.
K
Kevlar
Kevlar is a synthetic fibre combined with epoxy resin to create a strong, lightweight composite material used in the construction of F1 cars.
L
Left-Foot Braking
Left-foot braking is a driving technique that became popular in the 1990s with the introduction of hand clutches. It allows drivers to keep their right foot on the throttle while using their left foot exclusively for braking.
Lock-Up
A lock-up occurs when a driver brakes sharply, causing one or more tyres to stop rotating while the others continue. This can lead to tyre smoke and flat spots.
Lollipop
The lollipop is a sign attached to a stick held in front of the car during a pit stop. It informs the driver to apply the brakes and engage first gear before the car is lowered from its jacks.
M
Marbles
Marbles are small pieces of tyre rubber that accumulate on the side of the track, off the racing line. These pieces are typically very slippery and can reduce traction if driven over.
Marshal
A marshal is a course official responsible for ensuring the safe conduct of the race. Marshals perform various duties, including monitoring spectators, acting as fire wardens, removing stranded cars or drivers from the track, and signalling drivers about track conditions using flags.
Monocoque
The monocoque is the single-piece tub that houses the cockpit, with the engine mounted behind it and the front suspension on either side at the front. It is the core structure of an F1 car.
N
Nomex
Nomex is a fire-resistant artificial fibre used to make drivers’ race overalls, underwear, gloves, and boots for added safety in case of fire.
O
Option Tyre
The option tyre is the second, usually softer, of the two tyre compounds nominated by the official supplier for each Grand Prix. While it may not be as well-suited to the circuit’s characteristics as the prime tyre, it can offer advantages in terms of pace or durability.
Out Brake
To out brake means a driver has braked too late or softly, causing them to overrun a corner. This is a common mistake during overtaking manoeuvres.
Oversteer
Oversteer occurs when the car’s rear end loses traction and tries to overtake the front end as the driver turns toward the apex of a corner. This often requires opposite lock, where the driver turns the steering wheel into the skid to regain control.
P
Paddles
Paddles are levers located on either side of the back of a steering wheel that a driver uses to shift gears up and down.
Paddock
The paddock is an enclosed area behind the pits where teams keep their transporters and motorhomes. It is restricted to team members and officials, with no public access.
Parc Fermé
Parc fermé is a secure area where cars are placed after qualifying and the race. No team members are allowed to touch the cars unless supervised by race stewards to ensure no modifications are made.
Pit Board
A pit board is a sign held out on the pit wall to inform a driver of their race position, time intervals to the car ahead or behind, and the number of laps remaining.
Pit Wall
The pit wall is where team owners, managers, and engineers stay during the race, usually under an awning to protect their monitors from sun and rain.
Pits
The pits are a designated area separated from the start/finish straight where cars are serviced for new tyres, refuelling, and setup changes during the race or practice sessions. Each team has its own pit garage in this area.
Plank
The plank, also known as a skid block, is a hard wooden strip fitted front-to-back down the middle underside of all F1 cars to ensure they do not run too close to the track surface. Excessive wear on the plank indicates a car has been running too low.
Pole Position
Pole position is the first place on the starting grid, awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap time during qualifying.
Powertrain
The powertrain, or power unit, refers to the entire system that provides an F1 car’s power. It consists of the engine, two Energy Recovery Systems (ERS), and an Energy Store.
Practice
Practice sessions are held on Friday and Saturday mornings at a Grand Prix, allowing drivers to work on their car setups in preparation for qualifying and the race.
Prime Tyre
The prime tyre is the harder of the two tire compounds nominated by the official supplier for each Grand Prix, theoretically better suited to the circuit’s characteristics.
Protest
A protest is an action lodged by a team when it believes another team or competitor has violated the rules.
Q
Qualifying
Qualifying is a knock-out session held on Saturday in which drivers compete to set the best lap time to determine the starting grid for the race.
R
R&D
R&D stands for Research and Development, encompassing activities undertaken by a team to develop or improve systems and components.
Reconnaissance Lap
A reconnaissance lap is a lap completed by drivers leaving the pits to assemble on the grid for the race start. Drivers can do multiple reconnaissance laps but must pass through the pit lane if the grid is crowded with team personnel.
Retirement
A retirement occurs when a car has to drop out of the race due to an accident or mechanical failure.
Ride Height
Ride height refers to the distance between the track surface and the car’s floor.
Rumblestrip
A rumblestrip is a bumpy, often saw-toothed kerb typically found on the exit of corners to warn drivers of the track’s edge.
S
Safety Car
The safety car is a track vehicle deployed from the pits to lead the field during a race when conditions require slowing down, such as after an accident.
Scrutineering
Scrutineering is the technical inspection of cars by officials to ensure compliance with regulations.
Sectors
For timing purposes, a lap is divided into three sections: Sector 1, Sector 2, and Sector 3, each representing roughly one-third of the circuit.
Shakedown
A shakedown is a brief test session when a team tries a new car part for the first time before pushing the car to its limits to set a fast time.
Sidepod
Sidepods are car parts that flank the sides of the monocoque alongside the driver, extending to the rear wing and housing the radiators.
Slipstreaming
Slipstreaming is a driving tactic in which a driver follows closely behind another car to benefit from reduced aerodynamic drag. This allows for a higher maximum speed to overtake before the next corner.
Steward
A steward is one of three high-ranking officials at each Grand Prix responsible for making decisions regarding race conduct.
Stop-Go Penalty
A stop-go penalty requires the driver to enter the pits, stop for 10 seconds without refuelling or changing tyres, and rejoin the race.
T
Tear-Off Strips
Tear-off strips are transparent plastic layers fitted to a driver’s helmet visor before the race, which can be removed as they become dirty.
Telemetry
Telemetry is a system that transmits data related to the engine and chassis to computers in the pit garage, allowing engineers to monitor the car’s behaviour.
Torque
Torque is the twisting force of an engine, commonly used to measure an engine’s flexibility. An engine with good torque delivers power over a wide rev range, which can be advantageous on tracks with many mid- to slow-speed corners.
Traction
Traction is the ability of a car to transfer its power onto the track surface for forward motion.
Traction Control
Traction control is a computerised system that detects if either of the driven (rear) wheels is losing traction and transfers more drive to the wheel with better traction. This system was banned starting from the 2008 season.
Tub
The tub is another name for the chassis or monocoque, so named because of its shape.
Turbulence
Turbulence results from disrupted airflow caused by an obstruction, such as a rear wing, which spoils the horizontal flow of air.
Turbocharger
A turbocharger is a device attached to the engine that uses an exhaust-driven turbine to drive a compressor, increasing the density of intake air consumed by the engine. This process helps the engine produce more power. The turbine also drives the MGU-H, part of the Energy Recovery System (ERS).
Tyre Compound
A tyre compound refers to the type of rubber mix used in tyre construction. It ranges from soft to hard, and each offers different performance and wear characteristics.
Tyre Warmer
A tyre warmer is an electric blanket wrapped around tyres before they are fitted to the car, ensuring they start closer to their optimal operating temperature.
U
Understeer
Understeer occurs when the car’s front end does not turn into a corner as intended and slides wide as the driver turns toward the apex.
Undertray
The undertray is a separate floor piece bolted onto the underside of the monocoque.
V
Visor Strip
A visor strip is a carbon fiber-reinforced Zylon strip fitted to the top edge of a driver’s helmet for additional protection.
W
Wheelbase
The wheelbase is the distance between the center points of the front and rear wheels, influencing the car’s handling characteristics.
Y
Yaw
Yaw describes the movement of an F1 car around an imaginary vertical axis through its center. It is often discussed alongside pitch (movement around a horizontal axis across the car’s center) and roll (movement along a longitudinal axis along the car’s centerline).
Z
Zylon
Zylon is a synthetic material with strong anti-penetration properties, often used in bulletproof vests. It is employed in F1 to strengthen drivers’ helmets and the sides of the cockpit for added safety.