Formula One was first defined in 1946 by the
Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the FIA, forerunner of FISA, as the
premier single seater racing category in worldwide motorsport. It was initially
known as Formula A, but the name Formula One was widely used early on and
became official in 1950. In 1950, as an answer to the Motorcycle World
Championships introduced in 1949, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
(FIA) organized the first ever official World Championship for Drivers using
the Formula One rules.
Buddh International Circuit (BIC), originally known as Jaypee
International Race Circuit, is India’s first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit.
The track is located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, not far from New Delhi.
The Hermann Tilke
designed track is 5.14 kilometers long, features 16 corners, 9 right-handers and
7 left-handers. The direction is clockwise. The track’s combination of
straights, corners and elevation changes has been designed to allow high speeds
and provide good opportunities for overtaking. Elevations make the circuit
special and it will rise up to 14 meters from turn one to three. It is expected
to be a real challenge for the drivers with 210 km/h average speed and 320 km/h
maximum speed. It has been reported that the circuit will be the second-fastest
on the calendar after Monza F1 circuit in Italy.
The Buddh
International Circuit is part of the Jaypee Greens Sports City, which is spread
over 2,500 acres. Seating capacity is about 100,000 with plans to increase to
200,000. It is also planned to include a 25,000 seat hockey arena, 18-hole golf
course, equestrian center, 100,000 seat cricket stadium and a race academy for
car and motorcycle drivers. There will also be a go-kart track with World
Championship standard.
A
Glossary of F1 terms
Armco barrier
A metal
barrier fitted at the sides of racing tracks, designed to absorb the impact of
a car at high speed and prevent it from crashing into spectators or in the case
of the Monaco Grand Prix, into the harbour.
Aerofoil or wing
A type
of upside-down wing used to keep the car firmly on the track at high speed, by
providing maximum downforce.
Ballast
Weights
fixed on the cars to maximise its balance and bring it up to the minimum weight
requirement.
Bargeboard
A piece
of bodywork of the car that is mounted vertically between the front wheels and
the side pods to help smooth the airflow around the sides of the car and make
it more aerodynamic.
Black flag
A black
flag accompanied by a car number, directs a driver to return to his pit and is
most often used to signal to the driver that he has been excluded from the
race.
Black
with orange circle flag
This flag
accompanied by a car number warns a driver that he has a mechanical problem and
must return to his pit.
Blue flag
A blue
flag warns the driver that he is about to be lapped and to let the faster car
overtake him. If a driver passes three blue flags, without complying, then the
driver risks being penalised. Blue lights are also displayed at the end of the
pit lane, when the pit exit is open and a car on track is approaching.
Bottoming
When a
car's chassis hits the track surface, sometimes making sparks fly. This is
because the suspension has hit the maximum amount of compression it can take,
for example due to increased downforce.
Chequered flag
A
chequered flag indicates to the drivers that the race has ended. During
practice and qualifying sessions it is waved at the allotted time, during the
race it is shown first to the winner and then to every car that crosses the
line behind him.
Chicane
A tight
sequence of corners in alternate directions, such as in an S-shape. Usually
inserted into a circuit to slow down the cars, often just before a high-speed
corner or straightaway.
Cockpit
The
area of the car where the driver sits.
Diffuser
The
rear section of the car's floor or undertray, where the air flowing under the
car exits through. The design of the diffuser is important, as it controls the
speed at which the air exits and thus changes the aerodynamics of the car. The
faster the exit, the lower the air pressure beneath the car and the more
downforce the car generates - creating more grip.
Downforce
An aerodynamic
force that forces a car downwards. Drivers use this to improve the car's
traction and handling through corners. Depending on the circuit lay-out, it can
have high or low downforce, forcing drivers to adjust accordingly with
different tyres or driving styles.
Drive-through-penalty
One of
two penalties that can be handed out at the discretion of the Stewards during
the race. With this penalty, drivers must enter the pit lane, drive through it
complying with the speed limit and re-join the race without stopping.
Drag
The air
resistance a car experiences as is goes forward.
FIA
Stands
for: Fédération International d'Automobile. It is the ruling body of world-wide
motor sport, based in Switzerland.
Flat Spot
The
term describing an area of a tyre that is worn heavily only in one spot. This
can happen after extreme braking or during a spin. A flat spot in the tyre
impedes the cars handling, often causing severe vibration and in many cases
forces the driver to go for a pit stop to change tyres.
Formation lap
One lap
around the circuit just before the start of the race. After the lap, cars are
stopped again on the grid in the starting formation, ready to start the race.
Sometimes drivers use this lap to warm up their tyres, which explains why they
drive their vehicles in a wavy pattern.
Gravel trap
A lane
of gravel on the outside of corners which is designed to stop cars when they
misjudge a corner or spin off. Sometimes drivers are able to rejoin the race
after spinning into the gravel trap.
Green flag
A green
flag gives the all clear. When a driver has passed a danger point on the track
and prohibitions imposed by yellow flags have been lifted.
Half black, half white flag
This
flag, accompanied by a car number, warns of unsportsman-like conduct. It may be
followed by a black flag, if the driver does not heed the warning.
Installation lap
A lap
done on arrival at a circuit, where drivers can test their car functions, such
as throttle, brakes and steering before heading back to the pits, without
crossing the finish line.
Jump start
When a
driver moves off his grid position before the five red lights have been
switched off to signal the start of the race. Sensors on the circuit detect
premature movement of any car and a penalty is imposed on the driver.
Launch control
A form
of traction control, which was used at the start of the race to assist drivers.
However, the use of launch control has been banned as of 2004. Drivers may
still use traction control.
Monocoque
The
single-piece 'tub' where the driver's cockpit is located. The car's engine is
located behind it and the front suspension on either side at the front.
Nomex
The
name of the fire-resistant material used to make the driver's suits, gloves and
shoes.
Paddles
F1 cars
do not have gear sticks like commercial cars and drivers use small flat levers
on either side of the steering wheel to change gears, these are called paddles.
One paddle is for changing gears up, the other for down shifting.
Paddock
An
enclosed area behind the pits, where teams keep their trailers, trucks and
motor homes.
Parc Ferme
Literally
meaning 'close park', this is a fenced-off area into which cars are driven
after qualifying and the completing the race, where no team members are allowed
to touch them except under the strict supervision of race stewards.
Pit board
A board
held out on the pit wall by team members to inform a driver of his race
position, the time interval to the car ahead or the one behind, plus the number
of laps of the race remaining.
Pits or Pit stop
An area
of track separated from the start/finish straight by a wall, where the cars are
brought in for maintenance. This includes tyre changes, and re-fuelling during
the race. Each team has its own 'garage' area.
Pole position
The
first place on the starting grid, which is awarded to the driver who had the
fastest qualifying lap time during the qualifying session.
Qualifying or qualifying
session/race
The
one-hour sessions one or two days prior to the race, in which drivers are
allowed to drive laps to set the best time they can. The fastest driver of the
qualifying session prior to the race takes pole position.
Racing line
An
imaginary line around a circuit that has been proven to be the most efficient
and quickest route around the circuit.
Red flag
A red
flay indicated that the race has been stopped. In most cases due to an accident
or poor track conditions due to weather, especially rain or fog.
Retiremen
When a
driver is unable to finish the race and has to drop out. This can be due to
mechanical failure or an accident.
Scrutineering
The
technical checking of race cars by the officials, to make sure that they comply
with all the regulations and specifications before and after the race.
Sidepods
The
part of the car that makes up the sides of the monocoque, alongside the drivers
seat and runs back to the rear wing. It houses the radiators of the car.
Slipstreaming
An
aerodynamics term, where a driver is able to catch the car ahead of him and use
the air coming off the car in front to reduce drag on his car. This allows the
driver to achieve a higher speed and slingshot past the car in front.
Splash and dash
A very
quick pit stop, normally during the final laps of a race, when a driver makes a
pit stop just to add a few litres of fuel to his car to make sure he can finish
the race.
Steward
One of
three high-ranking officials at each race appointed to make decisions and make
sure drivers and teams adhere to regulations. Stewards have the discretion to
hand out penalties to drivers and teams during and after the race.
Stop-and-go-penalty
One of
two penalties that can be handed out to a driver at the discretion of the
Stewards during the race. This penalty forces the driver to make a pit stop,
stationary for 10 seconds, but is not allowed to fuel or change tyres during
this time. After 10 seconds he is allowed to resume the race.
Tear-off strips
Each
driver has several layers of see-through plastic film covering the visor of
their helmets, which they can tear-off as the visor gets dirty during the race.
This eliminates the need to keep wiping the visor, for which the driver would
not have time during the race.
Traction
The
degree to which a car is able to transfer its power onto the track surface for
forward progress. Traction can vary depending on the track surface, weather or
tyre and drivers will aim to have maximum traction during a race.
Traction control
A means
of electronically reducing the power to the driving wheels, to minimise
wheel-spin, and maximise traction. This is usually done by matching the speed
of the rear wheels to that of the front wheels.
White flag
A white
flag warns drivers of a slow moving vehicle on the track.
Wing or aerofoil
A type
of upside-down wing-shaped fixture used to keep the car firmly on the track at
high speed, to provide maximum downforce.
Yellow flag
A
yellow flag indicates danger, such as a stranded car or an accident ahead.
