This is the dictionary of Formula 1. It's the complete glossary of F1 terms and definitions.
A
Aero Balance
The distribution of aerodynamic forces between the front and rear of the car.
Aero Map
A diagram showing how aerodynamic forces change with speed and ride height.
Anti-Dive
A suspension geometry that reduces nose dive under braking.
Anti-Roll Bar
A bar that connects the left and right suspension to reduce body roll.
Anti-Squat
A suspension geometry that reduces rear squat under acceleration.
B
Ballast
Weight added to the car to meet minimum weight requirements.
Bargeboard
A vertical aerodynamic device between the front wing and sidepods (banned in 2022).
Blistering
When the tire surface overheats and forms bubbles.
Brake Bias
The distribution of braking force between front and rear brakes.
Brake Migration
A system that automatically adjusts brake bias during braking.
C
CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
Software used to design car components.
Camber
The angle of the wheel relative to vertical. Negative camber improves cornering grip.
Chassis
The main structure of the car, also known as the survival cell.
Chicane
A tight sequence of corners in alternate directions.
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
Software that simulates airflow around the car.
Compound
The mixture of rubber used to make tires.
Control Line
The line that marks the start/finish of the lap.
D
DAS (Dual-Axis Steering)
A system that allows the driver to adjust the toe angle of the front wheels (banned in 2021).
DRS (Drag Reduction System)
A device that reduces aerodynamic drag by opening a flap in the rear wing.
Diffuser
The rear section of the floor that expands to create low pressure.
Downforce
The aerodynamic force that pushes the car onto the track.
Drag
The aerodynamic resistance that slows the car down.
Drive-Through Penalty
A penalty where the driver must drive through the pit lane.
E
ECU (Electronic Control Unit)
The computer that controls the engine and other systems.
ERS (Energy Recovery System)
A system that recovers energy under braking and from exhaust heat.
Endplate
The vertical surface at the end of a wing.
Engine Brake
Using the engine to slow the car down.
Engine Mode
A setting that changes the engine's power output.
F
Flat Spot
A worn area on the tire caused by locking the brakes.
Formation Lap
The lap before the start of the race.
Free Practice
Practice sessions held before qualifying.
Fuel Flow
The rate at which fuel is consumed by the engine.
Fuel Load
The amount of fuel in the car.
G
Gap
The time difference between two cars.
Gearbox
The transmission that transfers power from the engine to the wheels.
Gear Ratio
The ratio of the gear that determines the speed and torque.
Graining
When the tire surface becomes too cold and forms a grainy layer.
Green Flag
The flag that indicates the track is clear.
Grid
The starting positions for the race.
Ground Effect
Aerodynamic forces generated by the floor of the car.
H
Halo
A titanium device that protects the driver's head.
HANS Device
Head and Neck Support device that prevents injuries.
Hot Lap
A lap driven at maximum effort.
Hot Pit
The area of the pit lane where work is done on cars.
I
Intermediate
A tire for damp conditions.
Installation Lap
A slow lap driven to check the car's systems.
In-Lap
The lap before a pit stop.
J
Jump Start
When a driver moves before the lights go out.
Jackman
The mechanic who lifts the car with a jack.
K
Kerb
The raised edge of the track.
KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)
An older system that recovered energy under braking.
L
Lap
One complete circuit of the track.
Lap Record
The fastest lap ever recorded at a circuit.
Lapped Traffic
Cars that have been lapped by the leaders.
Launch Control
A system that helps the car accelerate (banned).
Lights Out
The signal that starts the race.
Lift and Coast
A driving technique where the driver lifts off the throttle early to save fuel.
M
Marshal
A volunteer who helps run the race.
Mechanical Grip
The grip provided by the tires and suspension.
MGU-K
Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic. Recovers energy under braking.
MGU-H
Motor Generator Unit - Heat. Recovers energy from exhaust heat.
Monaco
The most prestigious race on the F1 calendar.
N
Nose
The front part of the car.
Nose Cone
The removable front section of the car.
Nose Dive
When the front of the car dips under braking.
O
Out-Lap
The lap after a pit stop.
Oversteer
When the rear of the car slides.
Overtaking
Passing another car on the track.
P
Parc Fermé
A secure area where cars are kept after qualifying.
Pit Lane
The area where teams service the cars.
Pit Stop
A stop in the pit lane to change tires or make repairs.
Pit Wall
The area where team strategists watch the race.
Pole Position
The first position on the starting grid.
Porpoising
A bouncing motion caused by aerodynamic instability.
Practice
Sessions held before qualifying.
Push Rod
A suspension component that pushes the spring.
Q
Qualifying
A session that determines the starting grid.
Qualifying Lap
A lap driven at maximum effort in qualifying.
R
Race
The main event of a Grand Prix weekend.
Race Director
The official who manages the race.
Race Engineer
The engineer who communicates with the driver.
Red Flag
A flag that stops the race.
Retire
When a car is unable to continue the race.
Ride Height
The distance between the floor and the track.
Roll Bar
A bar that helps prevent the car from rolling.
Rolling Start
A start where cars are already moving.
S
Safety Car
A car that leads the field during yellow flag conditions.
Scrutineering
The inspection of cars to ensure compliance.
Sector
One of three sections of a lap.
Setup
The configuration of the car's components.
Sidepod
The bodywork on the sides of the car.
Slick
A tire with no tread.
Slipstream
The area of reduced air resistance behind another car.
Stewards
The officials who enforce the rules.
Strategy
The plan for the race.
Street Circuit
A circuit that uses public roads.
Suspension
The system that connects the wheels to the car.
T
Telemetry
The system that transmits data from the car.
Tire Blanket
A heater that warms the tires (banned in 2024).
Toe
The angle of the wheels relative to the centerline of the car.
Top Speed
The maximum speed of the car.
Traction
The grip that allows the car to accelerate.
Traction Control
A system that prevents wheel spin (banned).
Tread
The pattern on the tire surface.
Turbocharger
A device that compresses the intake air.
U
Understeer
When the front of the car slides.
Undertray
The floor of the car.
V
V6
A six-cylinder engine in a V configuration.
Virtual Safety Car (VSC)
A period where drivers must maintain a target speed.
Vortex
A spinning mass of air.
W
Warm-Up Lap
The lap before the start of the race.
Wet
A tire for wet conditions.
Wheel Tether
A cable that attaches the wheel to the car.
Wind Tunnel
A facility that tests aerodynamic performance.
Wing
An aerodynamic device that generates downforce.
X
X-Ray
A medical imaging technique.
Y
Yellow Flag
A flag that indicates a hazard.
Youngest Champion
The youngest driver to win the championship.
Z
Zero Carbon
The goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
Zero Fuel
When the car runs out of fuel.
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