If you’re just getting into motorsports or want to better understand the nuances in team radio communications between drivers and engineers, here’s a guide with key terms to keep an eye out for when watching races.
Though motorsport terminology constantly evolves, many fundamentals stay the same. Here are some commonly used terms to help you navigate a race weekend:
Apex: The tightest point in a corner. Drivers aim to hit the apex to take the optimal line and carry maximum speed through the corner.
Aquaplane: This occurs when a car loses control on a wet surface. Aquaplaning happens when the tires encounter enough standing water to lose grip, making the car difficult to control.
Backmarker: Refers to a driver at the back of the field, often due to an underperforming car.
Blistering: A type of tire degradation where excessive heat causes small bubbles or blisters to form on the tire surface. This reduces grip and can lead to faster wear, often forcing drivers to pit sooner than planned.
Bottoming: Common in modern cars with ground effect, this is when the car’s floor scrapes the track due to low ride height.
Box: A directive for a driver to pit, derived from the German “Boxenstopp” (pit stop).
Box opposite: A strategic call for a driver to do the opposite of the car ahead during a pit window, either staying out if they pit or pitting if they stay out.
Compound: Refers to the type of tire rubber used, affecting grip and durability. Each race weekend has soft (red), medium (yellow), and hard (white) compounds.
Degradation (or “deg”): Describes tire wear, with higher degradation meaning faster tire wear.
Delta: The time difference between two laps or cars. A negative delta indicates a faster lap time than the reference lap.
De-rating: When the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) in a Formula 1 power unit runs low on charge, temporarily reducing power output.
Dirty air: Turbulent airflow behind a car that negatively affects the aerodynamic performance of a following car, which is why drivers prefer to be in “clean air.”
Double stack: When both drivers on a team pit on the same lap, often done under a Safety Car to minimize time lost in the pits.
Downforce: Aerodynamic force pushing the car downwards, helping to grip through corners.
DRS (Drag Reduction System): A rear wing system to reduce drag and aid overtaking. DRS is used in designated zones in practice, qualifying, and when within one second of the car ahead in races.
ERS (Energy Recovery System): A component within the power unit that stores and releases electrical energy, providing a power boost.
Flat spot: A section of a tire worn down from locking up under braking, creating a rough ride.
Graining: A tire issue where small rubber particles separate from the tire surface, reducing grip temporarily.
Ground effect: Current F1 cars are designed to create downforce primarily through the car’s floor, a technique known as ground effect.
Halo: A safety device over the driver’s cockpit, credited with reducing the risk of head injuries.
HANS device: A carbon fiber neck restraint that attaches to the driver’s helmet, designed to reduce neck injuries during high-speed impacts.
Lift and coast: A fuel-saving technique where drivers lift off the throttle before braking zones to maintain fuel efficiency.
Marbles: Bits of rubber shed from tires, which reduce grip and are avoided during races but picked up post-race to add weight to the car.
Overcut: A strategy where a driver pits later than a competitor, aiming to gain an advantage once the competitor’s tires have worn out.
Oversteer: When the rear of the car becomes loose, requiring the driver to correct with opposite steering.
Parc fermé: Conditions applied after qualifying where significant car setup changes are restricted to prevent teams from making last-minute adjustments.
Penalty points: Points assigned for rule infractions. Drivers with 12 points within a 12-month period receive a one-race suspension.
Porpoising: A bouncing effect caused by ground effect aerodynamics where downforce repeatedly pushes the car close to the ground, causing an unstable ride.
Pit window: A period within a race where pitting is optimal. Engineers inform drivers when the “pit window is open.”
Power unit: A Formula 1 car’s hybrid power source, including an ICE (internal combustion engine), MGU-H, MGU-K, Turbocharger, Control Electronics, and Energy Store.
Retirement: When a driver exits a race due to technical issues or accidents, they are considered “retired” from the race.
Target: Refers to the planned pit stop lap, which teams try to keep hidden. Calls like “target plus one” indicate extending the pit strategy by a lap.
Undercut: A strategy where a driver pits before a competitor, aiming to gain track position by running faster on fresh tires.
Understeer: The opposite of oversteer, where the car doesn’t turn as much as intended, sliding outward in corners.
Upgrade: New parts introduced to improve car performance for a specific race weekend.
IndyCar Terms:
- Weight Jacker: A tool that allows drivers to adjust the car’s balance on oval tracks by shifting the weight distribution across the tires. Adjusting it can add or remove pressure from the rear tires to help manage grip and handling, especially in corners.
- Push-to-Pass: Known as the “overtake button,” this provides an extra burst of power for a limited time to help with passing. In IndyCar, it gives a temporary increase in horsepower, with drivers having a limited amount of time they can use it during a race.
- Downforce vs. Drag Adjustments: Because IndyCar races on both ovals and road courses, teams often adjust the rear wing to balance downforce and drag. More downforce improves cornering grip but reduces straight-line speed, while less downforce reduces grip but allows for faster top speeds.
- Red/Black Tire Strategy: On road and street circuits, IndyCar has two tire types—soft “reds” and harder “blacks.” Each has advantages in different track conditions, and teams strategize when to use each type during a race.
- Honda/Chevy Engines: IndyCar has two engine suppliers (Honda and Chevrolet), each offering different power and handling characteristics. Engine choice plays a significant role in a team’s setup and performance across tracks.
NASCAR Terms:
- Drafting: When a car follows closely behind another to reduce air resistance. In NASCAR, it’s especially useful on high-speed ovals, where cars can gain speed and save fuel by drafting.
- Bump Drafting: is a technique used primarily in NASCAR, where a trailing car makes light contact with the rear bumper of the car in front to give it a speed boost. The small “bump” transfers momentum to the lead car, allowing both cars to move faster by reducing air resistance. This technique is especially common on high-speed superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, where drivers form “drafting packs” to gain competitive speed.However, it’s risky; too hard of a bump, or hitting at an angle, can destabilize the lead car and cause a spin or crash. NASCAR has even imposed restrictions on bump drafting in certain areas of the track, especially in corners, due to the potential dangers it poses.
- Restrictor Plate: A device used on specific NASCAR tracks (like Daytona and Talladega) to limit airflow to the engine, reducing speed for safety reasons. The plates change racing dynamics and often lead to tighter packs and drafting strategies.
- Loose and Tight: In NASCAR, “loose” (oversteer) means the rear tires lack grip, causing the car’s back end to swing out. “Tight” (understeer) means the front tires lack grip, making the car resist turning into the corner.
- Spotter: A team member positioned high above the track who communicates with the driver via radio to guide them through traffic and avoid crashes. Spotters are crucial on NASCAR tracks due to limited visibility, especially during close racing.
- Lucky Dog: A rule allowing the first car one lap down to regain its lap during a caution period. This rule is unique to NASCAR and can significantly impact a driver’s position and strategy during a race.
- Green-White-Checkered: A rule to prevent races from ending under caution. When a race would end under caution, officials extend the race to allow for a “green flag” (restart), a “white flag” (final lap), and a “checkered flag” (finish).
- Stages: NASCAR races are divided into stages, with points awarded at the end of each stage. This format incentivizes competitive racing throughout the event, not just at the finish line.
These terms provide a foundation for following and understanding the strategic depth of motorsport, helping you engage with every moment on track.
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