https://formula1.wiki/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Glossary_of_Formula_One_technical_termsGlossary of Formula One technical terms - Revision history2026-04-16T23:55:46ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.41.1https://formula1.wiki/index.php?title=Glossary_of_Formula_One_technical_terms&diff=147&oldid=prevFormula: Created page with "__NOTOC__ This glossary provides a rigorous, academically structured definition of technical terms used in Formula One. Terms are defined in engineering and regulatory contexts, with cross-references to relevant articles. == A == ; '''Aero rake''': A sensor array used during testing to measure airflow around the car. Often mounted with pitot tubes or pressure probes. ; '''Airbox''': The intake above the driver’s head that feeds air to the engine, often integrated with..."2025-08-07T14:22:20Z<p>Created page with "__NOTOC__ This glossary provides a rigorous, academically structured definition of technical terms used in Formula One. Terms are defined in engineering and regulatory contexts, with cross-references to relevant articles. == A == ; '''Aero rake''': A sensor array used during testing to measure airflow around the car. Often mounted with pitot tubes or pressure probes. ; '''Airbox''': The intake above the driver’s head that feeds air to the engine, often integrated with..."</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>__NOTOC__<br />
This glossary provides a rigorous, academically structured definition of technical terms used in Formula One. Terms are defined in engineering and regulatory contexts, with cross-references to relevant articles.<br />
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== A ==<br />
; '''Aero rake''': A sensor array used during testing to measure airflow around the car. Often mounted with pitot tubes or pressure probes.<br />
; '''Airbox''': The intake above the driver’s head that feeds air to the engine, often integrated with the roll hoop.<br />
; '''Apex''': The innermost point of a racing line through a corner.<br />
; '''Anti-dive geometry''': Suspension design that resists compression under braking, reducing forward pitch.<br />
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== B ==<br />
; '''Ballast''': Dense material (often tungsten) placed strategically to optimise weight distribution.<br />
; '''Beam wing''': A secondary horizontal aerofoil element located near the rear diffuser to condition airflow.<br />
; '''Blistering''': A type of tyre degradation where internal heat causes bubbles in the rubber.<br />
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== C ==<br />
; '''Camber''': The vertical tilt of a wheel when viewed from the front. Negative camber improves lateral grip.<br />
; '''CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)''': Simulation method used to analyse airflow without wind tunnel testing.<br />
; '''Chassis''': The structural base of the car, typically a carbon-fibre monocoque.<br />
; '''Coanda effect''': Tendency of airflow to follow a surface contour. Used in exhaust flow manipulation.<br />
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== D ==<br />
; '''Diffuser''': The expanding underfloor section at the rear, which accelerates airflow to generate downforce.<br />
; '''DRS (Drag Reduction System)''': A movable rear-wing element allowing reduced drag on straights. Regulated for activation zones only.<br />
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== E ==<br />
; '''ECU (Electronic Control Unit)''': Standardised control hardware managing engine, gearbox, and hybrid systems.<br />
; '''ERS (Energy Recovery System)''': The hybrid system that recovers kinetic and thermal energy (MGU-K and MGU-H).<br />
; '''EBD (Exhaust-Blown Diffuser)''': Technique exploiting exhaust gases to seal the diffuser, banned post-2011.<br />
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== F ==<br />
; '''Flat spot''': A section of tyre worn flat by a locked wheel under braking. Causes vibrations and reduced performance.<br />
; '''Floor edge vortex''': A rotating airflow generated at the floor boundary, crucial for sealing ground-effect aerodynamics.<br />
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== G ==<br />
; '''Ground effect''': Aerodynamic principle using underbody airflow to create downforce through pressure differentials.<br />
; '''Gurney flap''': A small vertical lip added to a wing’s trailing edge to increase downforce.<br />
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== H ==<br />
; '''Halo''': Titanium safety structure protecting the driver’s head from debris.<br />
; '''HANS device''': Head And Neck Support device reducing whiplash in impacts.<br />
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== I ==<br />
; '''Inboard suspension''': Suspension components (springs/dampers) mounted inside the chassis, connected via push/pull rods.<br />
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== K ==<br />
; '''KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)''': Original hybrid system (2009–2013) recovering braking energy via MGU-K.<br />
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== L ==<br />
; '''Load cell''': A sensor that measures force (e.g. on suspension arms or brake pedals).<br />
; '''Lift and coast''': A fuel-saving and thermal management driving technique used during races.<br />
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== M ==<br />
; '''Monocoque''': Single-piece structural shell housing driver and fuel cell. Provides crash safety.<br />
; '''MGU-K''': Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic. Recovers energy under braking and redeploys it for acceleration.<br />
; '''MGU-H''': Motor Generator Unit – Heat. Recovers energy from exhaust gases (to be removed in 2026).<br />
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== N ==<br />
; '''Nomex''': A fire-resistant material used in driver suits and cockpit insulation.<br />
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== O ==<br />
; '''Outwash''': Aero strategy to deflect air away from tyres to reduce drag and tyre wake.<br />
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== P ==<br />
; '''Parc Fermé''': The period when car setup changes are restricted. Begins post-qualifying until race start.<br />
; '''Plank''': A wooden (jabroc) strip under the car to monitor legality of ride height.<br />
; '''Power unit (PU)''': Modern F1 engine, including ICE, MGU-K, MGU-H, turbo, and control systems.<br />
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== Q ==<br />
; '''Quali mode''': Engine mapping used to maximise power output during qualifying (now regulated).<br />
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== R ==<br />
; '''Rake (vehicle attitude)''': The longitudinal tilt of the car. High rake increases underfloor airflow acceleration.<br />
; '''Regen''': Short for regenerative braking via MGU-K.<br />
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== S ==<br />
; '''Sidepod''': Bodywork housing radiators and cooling systems.<br />
; '''Slipstream''': Reduced air pressure behind a car, reducing drag for the following car.<br />
; '''Stint''': A continuous run between pit stops.<br />
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== T ==<br />
; '''Telemetry''': Wireless data transmission from car to pit wall in real-time.<br />
; '''Torque map''': Engine control settings defining torque delivery.<br />
; '''T-tray''': Front floor extension (officially 'bib') supporting plank and controlling airflow.<br />
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== U ==<br />
; '''Undercut''': Pit strategy where a driver pits early to gain advantage with fresher tyres.<br />
; '''Understeer''': Condition where the front tyres lose grip before the rear, causing the car to turn less than desired.<br />
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== V ==<br />
; '''Vortex generator''': Small aero device used to control flow separation and energise airflow.<br />
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== W ==<br />
; '''Wake turbulence''': Chaotic air left behind a car. Modern rules aim to reduce its disruptive effect.<br />
; '''Wind tunnel''': Physical testing apparatus to measure aerodynamic forces.<br />
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== Y ==<br />
; '''Yaw angle''': The rotation of the car around its vertical axis, relevant in corner entry stability.<br />
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== Z ==<br />
; '''Zylon''': Ultra-strong polymer used in side-impact structures and cockpit panels.<br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Aerodynamics]]<br />
* [[Power unit]]<br />
* [[Tyres]]<br />
* [[Chassis]]<br />
* [[Regulation evolution]]<br />
* [[Strategy modelling]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
* FIA Technical Glossary</div>Formula