Understanding Formula One...

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.