Glossary of Formula One terms

AERODYNAMICS

The study of the air passing over and around the car with the aim to optimise the shape of the car, to improve grip, speed or cooling.

APEX

The point on the corner at which the drivers aim their cars to achieve the quickest racing line.

CHICANE

A tight corner or sequence of alternating corners often designed to slow the cars down

COCKPIT

Where the driver sits inside the car. The carbon fibre shell is supremely strong and has high side that protects the driver.

DOWNFORCE

The vertical force exerted on the car by the air passing over the car’s wings located at the front and rear.

F.I.A

Fédération Internationale De L’Automobile (the FIA)– Formula One’s governing body

KERS

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System that converts heat energy from braking into added horsepower, stored in the engine.

OVERSTEER

This is when the rear of the car pushes wide, and the front stays ‘on-line’, making the car appear to be travelling sideways.

PADDOCK

The area behind the pit lane, where the drivers relax and talk to the media during the Grand Prix.

PARC FERMĒ

This is where the cars are held between qualifying and race day to prevent the teams making any changes.  Once the race is over, the cars return here for official inspection.

PIT LANE

This is where the teams work on the cars during the race weekend. It is also where pit stops take place. The pit lane is still part of the race track.

POLE POSITION

First place on the grid, this is the most advantageous place from which to start the race. It is awarded after qualifying in the fastest time.

SAFETY CAR

In the event of an accident or blockage on the race circuit, the safety car will be deployed in front of the lead car to slow down and control the cars still on track, until it is safe to proceed. During this time, overtaking is prohibited.

SCRUTINEERING

The process that determines that the cars are safe to race and adhere to the technical regulations.

SLICK TYRES

The new regulation for 2009, tyres with no grooves. The tyres will generate up to 20% more grip and reduce top speeds.

STEWARDS

The stewards run the race weekend at a Grand Prix. They make all decisions with regard to rules, penalties and incidents.

STOP AND GO PENALTY

This is a penalty which requires the driver to enter the pit lane and stop for 10 seconds before rejoining the race. The driver cannot re-fuel or change tyres during this time

TELEMETRY

Data from the hundreds of sensors on the car that provides the team with real-time information such as throttle position, speed, braking forces, temperatures, etc.

UNDERSTEER

This is when the front wheels ‘push’ wide during cornering – the car will appear to be travelling straight on and will not turn for the corner.