So, you’re new to F1. Whether it’s the teams, drivers, terminology, or memes that have you scratching your head, I’ll help you find yourself in the amazing world of the pinnacle of motorsport. This article in particular is about terminology that fans and the FIA use.

A lot of times, abbreviations and phrases are used, which, when I was new to F1, completely confused me, as there aren’t any official “guides” to help you understand what’s being said. I made this guide with many basic and intricate terms and phrases that you’ll hear while watching races or discussing the sport online. Alongside the term, I’ll add the definition and an example use case.

• Downforce
  • The aerodynamic force that pushes the car down toward the track, which increases grip and cornering speed. It is generated by the wings and floor and is crucial for stability and handling at high speeds.
  • “Alpine is running a high-downforce rear wing this weekend at Monaco due to the tight corners and short straights.”
• FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile)
  • The governing body of Formula One. They enforce rules and regulations and set the standards for safety. They are responsible for licensing and maintaining contracts with different circuits. They also govern other sports like WEC, WRC, Formula E, etc.
  • “The FIA has chosen to renew the Circuit of the Americas until 2034 through a contract, meaning that F1 will race at Austin for at least the next 8 years.”
• Grid
  • The starting positions of the 20 (soon to be 22) cars on the track before the start of a race, which is determined by qualifying the day prior.
  • “Today, we see an unfamiliar face towards the front-end of the grid as Liam Lawson qualified P3 yesterday after a premature end to qualifying.”
• Pecking Order
  • The informal ranking of teams based on performance, speed, and competitiveness during the season or at a particular race weekend. It is not official but is widely used during analysis to determine who’s leading, who’s in the midfield, and who’s a backmarker.
  • “Surprisingly, Aston Martin has moved up in the pecking order this weekend in Hungary after occupying the third row in qualifying.”
• Midfield
  • The group of teams that fight for the last points-earning spots during a race or just outside; the 5th to 8th best teams on the grid, or teams that aren’t bad but not great either.
  • “We’ve seen an amazing fight in the midfield this season as Williams, Aston Martin, VCARB, and Haas all scrap for points against each other in every race of the season.”
• Backmarker(s)
  • The teams that are almost always finishing last during a race and rarely ever score points; the worst and slowest teams on the grid.
  • “After an impressive 2024 season, Alpine has become backmarkers this season, with both drivers finishing in the last two places for the last 4 Grand Prix.”
• Grand Slam
  • When one driver, in a single weekend, achieves pole position during qualifying and wins the race while leading during every single lap and achieving the fastest lap of the race. A very rare occurrence, which signifies total domination by one driver at a track.
  • “Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver ever here at Silverstone, and with the pace the Mercedes has shown during practice, there is a decent chance that he picks up yet another grand slam in this prestigious race.”
• Number Two Driver
  • The second driver in a team who isn’t as fast as the other and often takes the role of assisting the other driver and playing the team game.
  • “There is a very compelling argument that Rubens Barichello, Michael Schumacher’s Brazilian wingman during the Ferrari dominance era, is the greatest #2 driver of all time.”
• Chicane
  • A series of either high-speed or low-speed corners in a circuit that are going in opposite directions often take place after a straight.
  • “Leclerc has that inside line. Perez goes off the track and cuts the chicane. Off goes Leclerc, through goes Hamilton!”

I’ll be continuing this series next week with an in-depth article about the different teams and drivers in the sport. My race summary of the Mexican GP will go live sometime tomorrow. Enjoy reading!