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