A-Z Formula 1 Glossary

Whether you’re a seasoned Williams Racing fan looking to get back up to speed after the summer break, or are new to the world of Formula 1, the terminology used in this sport can sometimes be a tad confusing.

As a newcomer, the sheer amount of lingo can be daunting – but don’t fear! We were all newcomers once upon a time.

To help know the difference between DRS and ERS, oversteer and understeer, we have compiled a handy A-Z glossary of some of the most frequently used terms you will hear when tuning in to a Grand Prix weekend.

Aerodynamics - The study of airflow and the interaction between the air and solid bodies, such as an F1 car, moving through it.

Airbox - In addition to serving as a critical part of the car’s roll hoop, an airbox sits above the cockpit and serves as an engine air intake.

Albon - Our Thai racing driver. Alex is our No23 and is competing in his fifth full season in 2024. He celebrated 13 points finishes with us since joining in 2022, and has stood on the podium twice earlier in his F1 career.

Apex - The midpoint of a corner on a circuit that drivers will aim to hit to secure the fastest possible lap time.

Aquaplaning - The loss of steering and traction as a result of tyres skimming over the surface of a wet race track.

Box - Often heard over the team radio, box or ‘box box’ refers to a team's pit box. Drivers and their engineers will opt for ‘box’ rather than ‘pit’ as it is a more phonetically distinctive word and easier to hear whilst strapped into a machine with an incredibly powerful engine just behind your head.

Blistering - Degradation of a tyre as a result of overheating, causing the rubber to break apart.

Chicane - A sequence of tight, alternating corners often taken at low speed. Most older circuits had these introduced in the 1990s to help slow cars down before a previously high-speed corner.

Clean air - Non-turbulent air on a race track that allows for optimal racing conditions.

Cockpit - The section of an F1 car where the driver is located.

Cost cap - A financial limit on what a team can spend on its cars across a calendar year, introduced in an attempt to level the playing field.

Dirty air - The opposite of clean air, dirty air is turbulence that follows a car as it punches a hole in the air, making it difficult for the driver behind.

Downforce - An aerodynamic force that can be harnessed by engineers and designers to help stick a car to the track by forcing air downwards to improve its traction.

Drag - The aerodynamic resistance on a car as it punches a hole through the air.

DRS - Drag Reduction System, or DRS, is an adjustable rear wing that can ‘open’ to allow for a higher top speed in predetermined sections of the track. The driver can use their DRS throughout practice and qualifying, but come race day they must be within one second of the car in front to operate it.

ERS - Energy Recovery Systems, or ERS, is a clever piece of technology that harnesses the wasted kinetic energy from the brakes plus the wasted heat energy from the turbocharger to provide added power. An MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit - Kinetic) and MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit - Heat) are found on all Formula 1 cars and are both ERS.

FIA - The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body of Formula 1, as well as a wide range of international racing competitions.

Flat spot - Damage to a car's tyre caused during a period of severe braking. As the tyre fails to rotate, the rubber which is touching the circuit will be degraded, creating a flat area to the surface; this can cause extreme vibration and make the car almost undrivable, often forcing the driver to pit for a new set of tyres.

Free Practice - Three sessions (one on a Sprint weekend) that take place to start an F1 weekend, allowing drivers and teams to acclimatise to the circuit, run different setups and tyre compounds as well as test different race scenarios.

Grand Chelem - A rare feat that is achieved by a driver when they take pole in qualifying, lead every lap of the race, record the fastest lap and secure the win. Also known as a Grand Slam.

Green Flag - Displayed to show the driver they are all clear of the yellow flagged area.

Grip - How well a car sticks to the circuit from the traction it is generating, affecting how easy it is for the drivers to stay in control. The grip can change as a tyre gets older or in wet conditions.

Grove - Our Oxfordshire home since October 1996, after outgrowing the previous facilities based in nearby Didcot. Our Grand Prix team is based here, as well as the extensive heritage collection and a state-of-the-art Experience Centre.

HALO - Brought in for the 2018 season, the halo is a safety structure that surrounds the cockpit with the sole purpose of protecting the driver. Initially a controversial addition, any negativity has since subsided after several incidents where the halo has been credited with saving the life of the driver.

HANS device - Short for Head and Neck Support Device, it is a piece of equipment that rests on a driver's shoulders and is clipped onto their helmet, to help prevent sudden movements in the head and neck during an impact. They were made compulsory in Formula 1 before the 2003 season.

Installation lap - The first lap drivers turn when arriving at a circuit, where all key car functions are checked to see if they are working as planned.

Jump start - When a driver moves from his grid spot at the start of the race before the five lights go out, earning them a time penalty.

Kevlar - A lightweight but strong synthetic fibre that is used in the construction of Formula 1 cars.

Lock-up - A term used to describe one or more tyres ‘locking’ during severe braking whilst the others continue to rotate. A lock-up will often cause a flat spot.

Marbles - As a tyre gets older, it degrades and small pieces of rubber will begin to flake off and fall away from the racing line. When a driver is forced to drive on the marbles, it can be slippery as there is less grip.

Nomex - A lightweight, fireproof material that is used to make a driver's overalls, gloves, boots and underwear.

Overcut - A race strategy that requires a driver to pass the car it is following by pitting later than them, utilising the clean air that becomes available to set faster lap times before pitting themselves and coming out in front.

Oversteer - When attempting to turn into a corner, the car's rear end continues to go straight due to a lack of grip. The driver must react and turn into the skid, often by applying an opposite lock to the steering wheel.

Paddock - A restricted area behind the pits that houses the team’s motorhomes, technical staff and media.

Parc Fermé - A French term meaning ‘closed park’ is an area where cars head after qualifying to ensure no maintenance or set-up changes are made ahead of a race.

Pits - An area of the track adjacent to the start/finish straight where cars can have tyres replaced or non-critical damage repaired during a race. Each team has a garage in the pit for refuelling or set-up changes during practice or qualifying.

Podium - Where the sparkling wine, or non-alcoholic equivalent, is sprayed by the top three finishing drivers after a race. We at Williams Racing have celebrated 313 podium finishes to date.

Pole position - The first spot on the grid at the start of the race, secured with the fastest lap time in Qualifying.

Porpoising - Reintroduced into F1 vocabulary during 2022, this is the bouncing effect caused by the increase then sudden decrease of downforce underneath a car. The name comes from the ocean mammal, the Porpoise, which moves through the water.

Qualifying - A three-part, knockout session hosted on a Saturday to determine the starting order for the Grand Prix. On a Sprint weekend, there will be an additional Sprint Qualifying held on the Friday which sets the grid for the shorter Sprint race.

Retirement - When a car is forced to pull out of a session owing to an accident or mechanical failure.

Red Flag - These are shown when a session has been suspended. Drivers should slow down and return to the pits. A session can be red flagged after an on-track incident or by inclement weather conditions.

Safety Car - A vehicle that is brought out to bunch up and control the pace of all the cars when an incident on track requires the race to be neutralised and cars to be slowed.

Sargeant - Not a senior rank in the military but our American driver, Logan Sargeant, who is competing in his sophomore year. Logan races with the No2 and became the first driver to score a point whilst flying the Star Spangled Banner in 30 years at the 2023 US Grand Prix.

Sidepod - The sculpted bulge in the bodywork either side of the driver, an area that typically houses the radiators for engine cooling.

Sir Frank - A legend and icon of the sport, Sir Frank Williams was our co-founder and original owner. He was the longest-serving Team Principal in Formula 1 history and his values remain at the centre of how we operate as we continue to proudly race under his family name.

Sprint - A 100km race held in addition to the usual Grand Prix at six rounds in 2024 – Shanghai, Miami, Spielberg, Austin, Sao Paulo and Lusail. Points are awarded to the top 8 finishers.

Traction - How a car can turn its engine power onto forwarding progress on the surface of a race track.

Undercut - The opposite of an overcut, a racing strategy to overtake the car in front by pitting before they do and using the fresh tyres to set a fast out lap and get the jump on their competitor.

Understeer - When the front of a car does not want to turn into a corner, forcing the driver into a skid. The opposite of oversteer.