The F1 dictionary: G

Gap

The space seen by some drivers but which never existed according to others.

Garde, Giedo van der

Former Caterham driver who caused a stir ahead of the 2015 Australian GP when he went to court in Melbourne to prove he had a legitimate contractual right to one of Sauber's race seats. Won his case but then reached an agreement not to drive with the embattled Swiss team.  

Gate

The suffix applied to any, and apparently all, F1 controversies. See also: Spygate, Crashgate, Liegate, Testgate.

Gearbox

Vital component of an F1 car. Gearboxes must consist of eight forward gears, with the ratios having been selected ahead of the season, plus reverse. Over the course of the season, each driver may use no more than one gearbox for six consecutive events while every unscheduled gearbox change will trigger a drop of five grid places.

Gear ratio

The ratio of angular velocity of the input gear to the output gear. Obviously.

G-Force

The multiplication of the force of gravity during braking, cornering or accelerating is measured as 'g'. An F1 car can generate around 4.5g of braking (deceleration) force and up to 3.8g cornering (lateral) force. So the forces working on the driver's neck will be around four-times those of the weight of his helmeted head. 

Genii Capital

Luxembourg-based investment company owned by Gerard Lopez and Eric Lux which controlled the Lotus F1 team before selling to Renault at the end of 2015, although retain a minority stake. See also: Lotus; Renault.

GP2 Series

Formula 1's premier feeder series which since its launch in 2005 has provided the platform for a host of drivers to graduate to the top level including Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hulkenberg.

Graining

The tyre degradation caused from parallel ridges of rubber reducing grip. In general, graining occurs when a driver overdrives on tyres that are too soft - though low track temperatures can also be a factor.

Grid, The 

The segment of the track where girls in costumes highlighting rather than concealing their charms tend to stand before races to mass approval.

Grid Girls, The

The invadees of the post-race press conference at the 2015 Russian GP.

Grid Walk

The always entertaining pre-race event carried out by Martin Brundle on behalf of the viewing public. Though each walk is unique, Martin will typically be shown fighting his way through a throng of randomly assembled guests to speak to anyone varying from kings, prime ministers, rock stars and even, sometimes, drivers. 

Grid Penalty

Handed to drivers for a variety of infractions, including their own misdemeanours plus for gearbox and engine changes. The latter eventuality brought farce in 2015 when grid penalties actually became longer than the grid itself. See also: Penalties.

Grip

The amount of traction generated by a car on the circuit between its tyres and the track surface. The amount of grip provided by the asphalt will generally increase as a race weekend progresses, therefore helping to improve handling and performance.

Grand Prix

An event officially defined as a motor race which forms part of a series to determine a World Championship. Don't ever let it be said that we are not pedantic.

Grands Prix

The plural of grand prix.

Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA)

The union of Formula 1 drivers. Alex Wurz is the body's current chairman.

Green

The non-literal term used to describe the condition of the track surface at the start of a grand prix weekend, or following a period of rain, before rubber from cars' tyres has gone down onto the surface to improve grip levels.

Gravel trap

The sandy-stoney sections on the outside of race-tracks designed both to slow cars for safety and to punish a mistake. Increasingly being phased out in favour of expansive, and more forgiving, tarmac run-off areas.

Grosjean, Romain

Geneva-born driver listed as a Frenchman who transformed his reputation after being branded a 'first-lap nutcase' during his first full F1 season in 2012. Made his debut in 2009, giving up day job at a bank in order to do so, finished on the podium at the 2015 Belgian GP but will drive for Haas in 2015.

Gurney flap

The trailing edge device from a car's wing named after former F1 driver Dan Gurney which is designed to increase downforce.

Gutierrez, Esteban

Young and inexperienced Mexican who, prior to being a reserve at Ferrari in 2015, struggled for results with Sauber but who has been handed his second shot at the big time in 2016 following his appointment as Romain Grosjean's team-mate at Haas.

So what have we forgotten? Let us know with an email to F1Feedback@sky.uk