Engine mapping – The settings that dictate exactly how the engine behaves. This can be changed to give slightly better performance at the cost of fuel consumption, or slightly better fuel consumption at the cost of performance, depending on requirements.
Flat spot – When a driver locks his brakes, the tyre is briefly dragged on the track without turning. This causes uneven tyre wear; a flat spot on an otherwise round surface. A flat spot causes vibrations in the car.
Gone off – Tyres give the most grip within an ideal temperature window and only for a limited time. If tyres are over-stressed or used for too long, their temperature rises and the rubber no longer gives as much grip.
Graining – When tyres wear during use and produce small pieces of worn-off rubber (grains). This rubber immediately sticks again to the tyre, making a slightly uneven surface and causing a loss of grip.
Gurney flap – A small flap on the trailing edge of a wing, mounted at a right angle and intended to increase downforce.
Green track – A track that is very clean and has very little tyre rubber on its surface. Such a track will cause slower lap times than normal track conditions because the cars find less grip.
HANS - The Head and Neck Support system which fits over a driver’s shoulders and attaches to his helmet. This restricts head movement in an accident, reducing the risk of injury.
In-lap – The lap on which a driver enters the pits.
KERS – Kinetic Energy Recovery System, which takes energy generated at the rear wheels under braking and stores it for a power boost on demand. This is optional for 2009.
Loose – When a car, particularly the rear, is lacking consistent grip in a corner so feels unstable.
Long-run performance – How a car performs with a relatively heavy fuel load over several consecutive laps.
Marbles – Small pieces of rubber which wear off the tyres during a session/race. These build up off the racing line and make the track surface very slippery, like driving on marbles.
Mechanical set-ups – Suspension (dampers and torsion bars), brakes, camber.
Monocoque – The one-piece carbon fibre safety shell, which surrounds a driver.
Newton meter (Nm) – The unit of measurement for torque.
Out-lap – The lap on which a driver exited the pits.
Flat spot – When a driver locks his brakes, the tyre is briefly dragged on the track without turning. This causes uneven tyre wear; a flat spot on an otherwise round surface. A flat spot causes vibrations in the car.
Gone off – Tyres give the most grip within an ideal temperature window and only for a limited time. If tyres are over-stressed or used for too long, their temperature rises and the rubber no longer gives as much grip.
Graining – When tyres wear during use and produce small pieces of worn-off rubber (grains). This rubber immediately sticks again to the tyre, making a slightly uneven surface and causing a loss of grip.
Gurney flap – A small flap on the trailing edge of a wing, mounted at a right angle and intended to increase downforce.
Green track – A track that is very clean and has very little tyre rubber on its surface. Such a track will cause slower lap times than normal track conditions because the cars find less grip.
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HANS - The Head and Neck Support system which fits over a driver’s shoulders and attaches to his helmet. This restricts head movement in an accident, reducing the risk of injury.
In-lap – The lap on which a driver enters the pits.
KERS – Kinetic Energy Recovery System, which takes energy generated at the rear wheels under braking and stores it for a power boost on demand. This is optional for 2009.
Loose – When a car, particularly the rear, is lacking consistent grip in a corner so feels unstable.
Long-run performance – How a car performs with a relatively heavy fuel load over several consecutive laps.
Marbles – Small pieces of rubber which wear off the tyres during a session/race. These build up off the racing line and make the track surface very slippery, like driving on marbles.
Mechanical set-ups – Suspension (dampers and torsion bars), brakes, camber.
Monocoque – The one-piece carbon fibre safety shell, which surrounds a driver.
Newton meter (Nm) – The unit of measurement for torque.
Out-lap – The lap on which a driver exited the pits.