F1 Glossary

Your complete guide to Formula 1 terminology, technical terms, and racing jargon

Aero

Aerodynamics—the study of airflow over the car to create downforce and reduce drag.

Channels that direct air to cool brake discs and calipers during heavy braking.

The driver's survival cell and monocoque structure of the car, made from carbon fiber.

A track segment where DRS can be activated if a car is within one second of the car ahead.

The battery system that stores energy harvested by MGU-K and MGU-H systems.

The underside of the car that contributes significantly to downforce via ground-effect.

A small tab at the trailing edge of a wing element to increase downforce.

Kinetic Energy Recovery System—predecessor to current ERS, harvested energy from braking.

Pieces of rubber deposited off the racing line that reduce grip and make overtaking difficult.

Motor Generator Unit - Heat: harvests energy from exhaust gases via the turbocharger.

Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic: harvests energy from the rear axle and can deploy 120kW for 33.3 seconds per lap.

When the rear tyres lose grip before the front tyres; the car's tail steps out in corners.

Regulations that restrict car modifications between qualifying and the race.

The three qualifying sessions that determine the starting grid, with eliminations after Q1 and Q2.

The clearance between the car's underside and the track surface, crucial for aerodynamics.

The angle between the direction a tyre is pointing and the direction it is actually traveling.

Tyre degradation—the rate at which a tyre loses performance and grip over a stint.

When the front tyres lose grip before the rear tyres; the car doesn't turn as much as intended.

A system that reduces all cars' speed by a set percentage without deploying the physical safety car.

How the car's weight is distributed between front and rear axles, affecting handling balance.

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