The F1 dictionary: M

Maldonado, Pastor

Winner of the 2012 Spanish GP but whose subsequent struggles made his flawless Barcelona drive look like one of the great unexplained mysteries of F1. Moved to Lotus from Williams in 2014, and while fast on his day, was a little prone to controversy and crashing. Lost his seat to Kevin Magnussen when his Venezuelan homeland became crippled by an economic crisis in early 2016 and his money from state oil backers PDVSA ran out.

Magnussen, Kevin

Son of one-time McLaren driver Jan who followed in his father's footsteps in making his F1 debut in 2014. McLaren's first rookie since Lewis Hamilton and like his predecessor finished on the podium on his Melbourne debut, although that didn't prevent him being demoted to reserve driver following Fernando Alonso's return for 2015. But after being dropped completely by McLaren 12 months later, he was picked up by Renault to replace Pastor Maldonado in a race seat.

Mallya, Vijay

Indian businessman whose properties include United Breweries Group and Indian Premier League cricket team Royal Challengers Bangalore, as well as the Force India F1 team. See also: Force India.

Manor Racing

Latest name for the backmarkers who came back from the brink after going into administration and missing the final three races of 2014. Originally known as Virgin in 2010, before Marussia, a Russian sportscar company, took a controlling interest. Rescued by businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick, the team returned to the grid in 2015, renaming as Manor Racing for 2016.

Mansell, Nigel

Ballsy racer who won the 1992 World Championship with Williams after several near-misses. Never once seen without thick moustache and eyebrows.

Marbles

The small pieces of discarded rubber from tyres that build up just off the racing line and form a slippery challenge for drivers. See also: Tyres; Pirelli; Racing line.

Marchionne, Sergio

Italian-Canadian head of the Fiat Chrysler car empire who since mid-2014 has also held the role of Ferrari president replacing Luca di Montezemolo. An increasingly influential figure in F1 who, word has it, is not to be taken lightly. 

Marko, Helmut

Former driver who retired after losing an eye in 1972 French GP. Now Red Bull motorsport advisor, which involves overseeing driver development programme and pontificating about the soft drinks manufacturer's F1 future. 

Marshals

The officials positioned all the way around the circuit charged with overseeing the safe running of an on-track session. Duties include helping to remove stricken cars from dangerous positions and waving warning flags.

Massa, Felipe

Rejuvenated Brazilian driver who joined Williams in 2014 after finding that the music finally stopped for him at Ferrari after eight seasons. Narrowly lost out on the world championship to Lewis Hamilton in 2008 before struggling to recapture his best form in the wake of a life-threatening accident in Hungary the following year.

Mateschitz, Dietrich

Co-owner of Red Bull energy drinks giant and also owner of Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso. Naturally, therefore, carries a lot of clout in F1. Usually thought to be vacillating about whether he's still interested. See also: Red Bull Racing.

Mattiacci, Marco

Ferrari's team principal of seven months in 2014 whose arrival at Maranello was as sudden as his departure. Most famous for wearing sunglasses in cloudy weather and falling out with Fernando Alonso.

Maylander, Bernd

German racing driver better known for driving the Safety Car since 2000. See also: The Safety Car.

McLaren

Hugely successful British F1 team which competed in their first Grand Prix in 1966 and has since won 12 Drivers' and eight Constructors' Championships. Just don't mention their results since 2013...

Medical car

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Estate which follows the field during the first lap of a Grand Prix and is dispatched for rapid emergency response in the event of an accident.

Medical centre

The on-site medical facility at every grand prix circuit which must be kitted out with all the latest technology and have access to its own operating theatre.

Medical helicopter

Previously unnoticed prerequisite for the commencement of a F1 session which duly leapt to prominence at the 2013 US Grand Prix, when someone belated noticed their helicopter was missing and practice was halted.

Mercedes

Famous German manufacturer currently in their second incarnation as a team owner after a brief stint as a F1 manufacturer in the mid-1950s. Also a successful engine supplier, winning world titles with McLaren and Brawn over the past two decades. Double world champions in 2014 in 2015 and favourites to do the same in 2016.

Merhi, Roberto

Owner of the floppiest hair in F1 and the longest 'short-term' contract in history, although you didn't see much of the former when he was in the cockpit of his Manor car in 2015.

MGU-K

Acronym stands for 'motor generator unit'. Part of energy recovery system [ERS] on hybrid F1 car that recovers kinetic energy via engine braking. See also: ERS.

MGU-H

Acronym also stands for 'motor generator unit'. Part of energy recovery system [ERS] on hybrid F1 car that recovers heat energy via turbocharger. See also: ERS.

Midweek Report

Discussion show which airs on Sky Sports F1 at 8.30pm on Wednesday evenings after every grand prix during the season. Presented by Natalie Pinkham with a roster of guests ranging from current drivers, ex-drivers, team bosses, journalists and even former FIA presidents. Make a date.

Monaco

The jewel in the crown of the F1 calendar, with the historic race around the Principality's streets and harbour area providing a stunning backdrop for some of the sport's finest images, a unique challenge that every driver dreams of conquering, and the setting for many of big-money deals that are F1's essential lifeblood.

Monocoque

The carbon fibre shell that forms the shape of a car.

Montezemolo, Luca di

Aristocratic former president of Ferrari and owner of some of the sharpest suits in the business.

Montoya, Juan Pablo

Former McLaren and Williams driver who found playing tennis quite hazardous. Apparently. Thrilled F1 with his derring-do between 2001 and 2006 then headed to NASCAR, without much success. But switch back to Indycars (in which he took 1999 title) brought second Indy 500 win in 2015.

Monza

Historic home of the Italian GP on which the tifosi descend in their thousands every September. See also: Ferrari; Tifosi.

Mosley, Max

President of the FIA 1993-2009. Divisive figure within the F1 paddock, the former team boss nevertheless put in place measures that have improved the sport's safety immeasurably. Now a crusader for privacy law reform following some bother that we can't mention on a family website. See also: FIA; Todt, Jean.

Moss, Sir Stirling

Legendary driver of the 1950s widely considered to be the greatest never to win a World Championship. Runner-up on four occasions and winner of 16 grands prix. Knighted in 2000.

Motorsport Valley

The catchy term used to describe the area of the UK, principally around Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, where the majority of F1 teams are based.

Moveable Aerodynamic Device

The moveable parts on a car that produce an aerodynamic benefit which the FIA began experimenting with in 2009. Initially this was through a driver-adjustable moveable front wing, but since 2011 the DRS rear wing has been in use. See also: DRS.

Mugello

Italy-based circuit used for the solitary full in-season test (2012) between 2009-2013.

Murraryisms

The affectionate term used to describe the collection of gaffes uttered by legendary commentator Murray Walker. His classic muddles included "either the car is stationary, or it's on the move", "there's nothing wrong with the car except that it's on fire" and "the car in front is unique, apart from the one behind which is identical". We couldn't agree more. See also: Walker, Murray

Multi-21

The infamous radio message which actually triggered one of the most controversial F1 moments of recent seasons. The coded instruction delivered by the Red Bull pitwall to their two front-running drivers, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, was designed to ensure a formation finish in the 2013 Malaysian GP. Instead, Vettel overtook his team-mate for the victory and no end of fall-out ensued. As you may recall.

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