Formula One Glossary of Terms and Acronyms
Ever Wondered What All Those Terms and Acronyms Mean?
Mar 13, 2009
Formula One, or F1 as it is better known, is an international race car series with world championship status. Many articles are written about the sport in general and the drivers and cars in particular. However, as in any sport, getting to know all of the names and meanings of terms can be daunting. The following is a basic glossary of terms and acronyms commonly used in F1.
The Basics
F1 cars are single seater purpose-built race cars with 2.4 liter V8 engines augmented by a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) system from 2009.
The races regularly draw spectator participation of up 200,000 per race and more than one billion people watch live TV broadcasts throughout the world.
Governing Body
Under the directorship of the Federal International de Automobile (FIA), the races are held in 17 different countries starting in Australia in March and ending with the last race in the United Arab Emirates in October. There are two championships within the series, one for drivers and one for the manufacturers.
Glossary of Terms
In F1 Aerodynamics is primarily concerned with the flow of air over, under, and through the car.
Ballast
To meet the minimum weight requirements of the FIA regulations, teams may add weight to their cars.
Bargeboard
Various aerodynamic aids are positioned on the cars to direct the airflow. The bargeboards help to direct air around the car.
Blistering
Over inflation, under inflation or lock up during braking can create a localized heat build up resulting in a blister forming.
Bodywork
The car’s bodywork is made up of covers: side-pod, engine/transmission, and various fitted panels to afford access to components inside the chassis.
Bottoming
To get the maximum available down-force, the cars must be as close to the track as possible. When the cars bottom out, the underside of the chassis has made contact with the track.
Brake balance (bias)
Each car is fitted with a system of applying more or less brake pressure to either the front or rear brakes.
The angle of inclination of the wheels is called the camber angle.
Caster angle referrers to part of the steering geometry about which the front wheels pivot.
Chassis
The chassis of an F1 car is often referred to as a tub, or survival cell. This tub is where the driver sits (sometimes called the cockpit). The engine and transmission are attached to the rear of the tub.
Clean air
Clean air referrers to air that is static. When the cars pass through the air, they create turbulence. Cars following the first car will be subject to this turbulent air.
Compound
The tires on an F1 car are designed to offer the greatest coefficient of friction between the tire contact patch and the track. Bridgestone (the sole tire supplier in the championship) offers a select number of compounds for the teams to choose from at each race.
Data from various parts of the car is recorded (electronically) in an onboard log.
Diffuser
The diffuser is an aerodynamic device positioned under the rear of the car to create down-force.
Down-force
The shape and position of the wings, working in conjunction with the under tray and diffuser, create a downward pressure on the car (high pressure on top, low pressure below).
Flat spot
Often associated with the front tires, a flat-spot is literally a spot on the tire that is no longer round – often caused by lock-up during braking.
G-force
The dynamic forces race cars are subject to are quantified in relation to the force of gravity.
KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)
From 2009 onwards, the cars can utilize energy recovered from braking to be used for additional performance (from an electric motor).
Oversteer
Oversteer is a condition where the rear of the car will step out or go sideways. (Sometimes known as lose – US).
Plank
Each car has a piece of hard wood bolted to the underside of the car. This wood (commonly known by its trade name: Jabrock) is a composite of thin veneers of hard wood glued together.
Rake (also see ride height)
The suspension on an F1 car is set up to give a lower ride height at the front (for aerodynamic reasons) than the rear.
The height (distance) the car stands above the ground when stationary is called the ride height. As the car gains speed, the ride height will be reduced (proportional to the aerodynamic down-force).
Sidepod
Sidepods are part of the bodywork; they are positioned either side of the cockpit and contain cooling radiators for water and oil, and also carry many of the electrical control units.
Slipstream
When a driver positions his car closely behind another, he is slipping into the air stream created by the first car. Although the air behind a car is turbulent, the reduction in pressure allows the following car to achieve a higher speed. (See clean air).
All cars carry a data logging system. The data can be downloaded during pit stops or transmitted in real time
via a telemetry system.
Tires (temperatures and pressures)
Race engineers and tire engineers monitor the residual pressures and temperatures within the tires to optimize the grip levels.
Traction
Traction relates to the cars’ ability to transfer power to the track. Good traction would imply that a car is transmitting its power or braking forces with little wheel slip.
Traction control
To control the traction (particularly during acceleration) the cars are fitted with a computer-controlled device that controls the amount of power to either rear wheel, or reduces the engine power to stop tire slip.
Turbulence
As a body (the car in this case) passes through air, it creates turbulence. Turbulence is a condition of the air that is not uniform. (Also see slipstream).
Understeer
Understeer is a condition where the car does not respond, turn or steer in the direction the driver requires. (Sometimes known as Push – US)
Understanding the terms and acronyms of a sport can add greatly to the enjoyment of being a supporter. F1 is full of technology, both in the cars and in the support equipment. F1 commentators and writers tend to use many terms associated with this sport but rarely explain the true meanings. This glossary will help Suite 101 readers to better understand these terms.
