Glossary of Terms
F1 racing, engineering, and FTAD-specific vocabulary.
The primary registered adult supervisor of an FTAD chapter. Responsible for competition registration, team compliance, and communication with FTAD national staff.
A competitive grouping of teams within a regional qualifier event. Teams are assigned to divisions based on chapter experience tier and regional registration volume.
Aerodynamic force pressing a vehicle into the track surface, improving grip and cornering speed. Generated by wings, diffusers, and the car's underfloor geometry.
Drag Reduction System. A rear wing mechanism that reduces aerodynamic drag on straights to increase top speed. Activated within designated zones when a driver is within one second of the car ahead.
A track obstacle or challenge component designed by FTAD officials for each season. Field elements test teams' ability to adapt strategy mid-race.
The lap completed by all cars immediately before the race start, during which drivers warm their tyres and brakes and take up their grid positions.
The maximum friction force a tyre can exert on the road surface. Grip determines a car's cornering limit and is affected by tyre compound, temperature, and surface texture.
A controlled area where cars are held after qualifying and before the race. No mechanical changes are permitted while a car is in parc fermé, preserving the setup from qualifying.
A competition format in which all teams use identical hardware. FTAD uses a spec series model to ensure victory is determined by engineering strategy and execution rather than budget.
Real-time data transmitted from a racing car to the pit crew's computers. Telemetry data includes speed, throttle position, brake pressure, tyre temperature, and fuel load.