F1
The lazy and succinct name of the thing we follow.
Factory
Generic term for a F1 team's headquarters. They're increasingly space-age, and usually spotless, so don't expect one big long assembly line, or a woodyard, where Ken Tyrrell based his title-winning team.
Fangio, Juan-Manuel
Five-times world champion who won all but one of those titles in his 40s. Nicknamed 'El Chueco' ('The Bow-Legged One').
Farina, Giuseppe
F1's first world champion in the sport's inaugural season of 1950.
F-duct
The McLaren-inspired, driver-operated device used to channel air flow towards rear wing in such a way as to reduce drag. Briefly produced a spate of show-off behaviour in 2010 as drivers steered one-handed before the device was banned in favour of the DRS. See also: DRS.
Fernandes, Tony
Malaysian entrepreneur who juggled his team principal role at Caterham, ownership of Queens Park Rangers football club and his AirAsia business before deciding the underperforming F1 team had to go in 2014.
Ferrari
The first among equals of F1 teams. Unique in contesting every season of the World Championship since its inception in 1950 and being the most successful in the sport's history. Considered to be the 'F' in F1.
FIA, The
Acronym of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, F1 and motorsport's governing body. Based in Paris. See also: Jean Todt; Max Mosley.
Finland
Country largely consisting of lakes and forests with an uncanny habit of defying its geography to produce race-winning F1 drivers. We've not entirely figured out how or why.
Fire truck
The only vehicle that led Sebastian Vettel during the 2013 Korean GP.
Fittipaldi, Emerson
Legendary Brazilian driver who won the World Championship in 1972 and 1974. Known for his precise driving style, 'Emmo' was the youngest ever World Champion until Fernando Alonso dethroned him in 2005.
Flow-vis
The brightly-coloured paint teams throw on their cars during testing which shows the effect new aerodynamic components have.
Force India
Former Jordan/Midland/Spyker team bought and rebranded by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya in 2008. After the successful introduction of a B-car midway through the season, the team finished fifth in the 2015 Constructors' Championship - their best ever
Force majeure
An 'act of God' in legalese, which was, until 2013, available in F1 as a defence for teams when faced with the wrath of the stewards.
Formation lap
The processional lap prior to the start of the race when cars are driven from their garages to line up on the grid for the start of the race.
FOM
Acronym of Formula One Management, the company which, in their own words, is a 'wholly owned subsidiary of Formula One World Championship Limited ('FOWC') and acts as its agent and business manager'. So there.
Formula One Group
Collective of companies consisting of Formula One Management, Formula One Licensing BV and Formula One Administration Limited.
Formula
The part of the sport's name which refers to the set of rules to which all teams and drivers must comply.
Formula 1
Sport which also goes by the name of F1, Formula 1 and big business. Oh, and it's the pinnacle of motorsport as well.
FOTA
The Formula One Teams' Association which initially acted as an umbrella organisation for all the F1 teams on its establishment in 2008, but despite early successes, waned and then eventually disbanded following the resignations of Ferrari, Red Bull and Sauber in December 2011. See also: RRA.
Franchise
A business concept, more normally associated with American Football teams, or branches of McDonalds or Subway, whereby a brand (or its product) is run (or sold) by an operator in return for a fee. If F1 introduces customer cars then the teams running them will be known as franchises. The big teams (who hope to sell the cars) think that, anyway.
Frentzen, Heinz-Harald
Mercedes' other rising German protege of the early 1990s who went on to win exactly 88 grands prix fewer than the man many initially thought he was quicker than, Michael Schumacher, during the course of a 156-race career. See also: Living in the shadow of.
Fry, Pat
Former McLaren engineer who joined rivals Ferrari in 2010 and after the first races of 2011 was promoted to the role of chassis technical director following the departure of Aldo Costa. Switched to director of engineering following James Allison's arrival but then shown the door after Ferrari's dismal 2014 season. Has resurfaced at Manor in 2016 as a consultant.
Fuel
The liquid mixture which powers a Formula 1 car and is surprisingly similar to standard road-car fuel.
More from The F1 Dictionary
Fuel flow
The rate at which fuel can enter an F1 engine, with a limit of 100kg/hour. A sore point for Red Bull at the 2014 Australian GP when Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified from second place.
So what have we forgotten? Let us know with an email to F1Feedback@sky.uk
