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.

A Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

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.

F Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

Halo: Titanium safety structure protecting the driver’s head from debris.
HANS device: Head And Neck Support device reducing whiplash in impacts.

I Edit

Inboard suspension: Suspension components (springs/dampers) mounted inside the chassis, connected via push/pull rods.

K Edit

KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System): Original hybrid system (2009–2013) recovering braking energy via MGU-K.

L Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

Nomex: A fire-resistant material used in driver suits and cockpit insulation.

O Edit

Outwash: Aero strategy to deflect air away from tyres to reduce drag and tyre wake.

P Edit

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 Edit

Quali mode: Engine mapping used to maximise power output during qualifying (now regulated).

R Edit

Rake (vehicle attitude): The longitudinal tilt of the car. High rake increases underfloor airflow acceleration.
Regen: Short for regenerative braking via MGU-K.

S Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

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 Edit

Vortex generator: Small aero device used to control flow separation and energise airflow.

W Edit

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 Edit

Yaw angle: The rotation of the car around its vertical axis, relevant in corner entry stability.

Z Edit

Zylon: Ultra-strong polymer used in side-impact structures and cockpit panels.

References Edit

FIA Technical Glossary