top of page
What does...mean?
My guide to F1 terms and slang....
To learn about Teams and Drivers scroll to the bottom of this page
Understeer and Oversteer:
Understeer and Oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of the vehicle to changes in steering angle associated with changes in lateral acceleration.
Oversteering occurs when a motor vehicle turns more than a driver appears to command when at the steering wheel. And, obviously, understeer is the opposite, turning less.
Tyres
Compounds, degradation and graining
In Formula One now, there are 5 tyre compounds that get used: Softs, Mediums, Hards, Intermediates and Wets. Softs are the red tyres, they are also the fastest. However, they also degrade the fastest, meaning they don't last as many laps as the other tyres. Hards are the white tyres, also the slowest. However, they are long lasting (unless you drive terribly), meaning they are great for the longer stints. Mediums are, as you can guess, in between the two. They are the yellow tyre. When the track is wet or it's raining, Inters and Wets get used. Wets are only used in terrible conditions of rain as they have special grip which prevents slipping and sliding but also slows the car down. (Talking about this is bringing up harsh memories -Sochi 21) Intermediates or "Inters" are the green tyres. They are used in damp conditions. They are the fastest of the two wet tyres, however doesn't have grip like that of the blue tyre, Wets.
Tyre Degradation is the effect of temperature on the compound. Whereas tyre wear is the deterioration of the tyre surface through contact with the track. For example, if the temperature goes too high, the compound can break up quicker and that will alter its ability to grip the surface. Hence, multiple pit stops in one race.
Another reason is tyre graining. This is one of the most common tyre defects seen. Graining is a ripple effect in the rubber like many, very small tears in the surface. It's caused when strips of rubber begin to separate and tear away from each other and then, due to tyre heat, fuse back together.
Undercut and Overcut
No....not the haircut.
An undercut is where a driver pits before the cars in front to try to gain a position. This is used in hopes that by the time the cars in front pit, their tyres won't be warm enough to be a challenge. However, in the event of a safety car or red flag, this is a strategy that could quickly fall apart.
However, an overcut is where driver B stops first and driver A stays out. This means that laps later, when driver A leaves the pits, they will come out ahead of driver B, having overcut them.
DNF = Did not finish
DNS = Did not start
DRS = Drag reduction system
"Box" = Pit stop
"Push" = Drive quicker
"Gap to __" = How far away the driver infront/behind is
Pole position = Qualified fastest and is starting first in the race
Points:
1st - 25
2nd - 18
3rd - 15
4th - 12
5th - 10
6th - 8
7th - 6
8th - 4
9th - 2
10th - 1
Fastest lap - 1
Clean air, Dirty air and Slipstream.
'Slipstreaming' occurs when a car is behind another down a straight. The lead car produces circulation behind the car as it produces downforce, this generates an area of lower pressure behind the car. If the following car is close enough, it can utilise this effect to be "drawn" into that low pressure zone. This means the car isn't working so hard to overcome air resistance. So, when you're not in a grip-limited situation, slipstream can be used at an advantage. This can produce quite a stark difference in lap times, especially at tracks where straight line speed is significant. This effect is also referred to as a "tow".
On the other hand, Dirty air occurs on any corners where cars are already in a grip limited condition. The lead car effectively uses up the energy from the on coming air and leaves behind air with low total pressure or "Dirty air". Due to this, the following car has reduced aerodynamic performance. This can cause many other, secondary problems that will negatively effect a drivers race.
And, as you'd expect, Clean air is the opposite. If you have no driver close in front of you, you're in "Clean air", meaning nothing is disrupting the aerodynamic performance.
Drivers Championship:
The championship that decides the order in which individual driver finishes a championship.
Constructors championship:
The championship that decides the order where which teams finish in a championship.
Parc Ferme:
'Closed park' - It's an area by the pit lane where cars park, preventing teams from modifying their cars. This is so the FIA can supervise, making sure every car is legal.
Track limits:
Track limits are the white lines that run around the edge of the circuit and set a boundary that drivers aren't allowed to cross. Drivers are not allowed to exceed these limits and can face a penalty if all four wheels are over the defined boundary. FIA stewards can serve the drivers with a penalty if they believe an advantage has been gained.
Bottoming:
When the underbody of the car hits the track surface.
Meet the Teams and their Drivers
Red Bull Racing
Since 2005
Christian Horner
Max Verstappen
Sergio 'Checo' Perez.
1
11
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Netherlands
57
36
101
32
Mexico
6
3
38
11
6 Championship titles
16 Championship titles
Since 1950
Scuderia Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Charles Leclerc
Carlos Sainz Jr
55
16
Monaco
5
23
32
9
Spain
3
5
21
3
Since 1966
McLaren
Andrea Stella
8 Championship titles
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
4
81
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
England
0
1
13
6
Australia
0
0
2
1
Since 1954
Mercedes AMG Petronas
Toto Wolff
8 Championship titles
Lewis Hamilton
George Russel
44
63
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
England
103
104
197
65
England
1
1
11
6
Since 2018
Aston Martin
Mike Krack
0 Championship titles
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Spain
32
22
106
24
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll
Canada
0
12
3
0
14
18
Since 2024
RB Visa Cash App
Laurent Mekies
0 Championship titles
Yuki Tsunoda
Daniel Ricciardo
22
3
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Japan
0
0
0
1
Australia
8
3
32
16
Since 1978
Williams
9 Championship titles
James Vowles
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Alex Albon
Logan Sargeant
23
2
Thailand
0
0
2
0
USA
0
0
0
0
Since 2021
Alpine
Bruno Famin
0 Championship titles
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Pierre Gasly
Esteban Ocon
10
31
France
1
0
4
3
France
1
0
3
0
Since 2016
0 Championship titles
Haas
Ayao Komatsu
Nico Hulkenburg
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Kevin Magnussen
20
27
Denmark
0
0
1
2
Germany
0
1
0
2
Since 2024
Stake kick sauber
Alessandro Alunni Bravi
0 Championship titles
Valterri Bottas
Zhou Guanyu
24
77
Nationality:
Wins:
Poles:
Podiums:
Fastest laps:
Finland
10
20
67
4
China
0
0
0
2
bottom of page