
Sensory Overload
One of the things that surprises spectators most when they experience Formula 1 for the first time is the overwhelming assault on their senses.
From the smell of super-heated disc-brakes, burning rubber and high-octane fuel to the ear-splitting whine of the 800 horsepower turbo-charged engines as they flash past at speeds in excess of 250km/h.
Learn to speak F1®
Watch any grand prix and you'll notice a vast array of jargon being used by drivers, race engineers and commentators. Even avid fans can have trouble understanding all of F1's technical terms.
A little understanding goes a long way, so this glossary of common phrases should bring you right up to speed with the technical terms of F1.
Click on the terms to find out what they mean.
# The Anatomy of an F1® Car
In the quest for speed an F1 team's factory never stands still, working year-round to improve every part of the car from the front wing to the diffuser, coming up with increasingly complex designs to find the edge. The finer points of how an F1 car works can be hard to graps. But with simple explanations of the key areas, anyone can understand the bascis of what goes into marking an F1 car fast.