F1 Glossary

Term	Description
Tear-off strips	Because a Formula One driver does not have a windscreen, his crash helmet visor can get very dirty during the race. Instead of windscreen wipers the driver has a number of tear-off strips on his visor, these thin clear strips cover the visor and are removed to give the driver a clear view.
Telemetry	A Formula One car is constantly sending information to the pit garage. From the hundreds of sensors on the car, the team has an excellent view as to the condition of the car and the driver’s movements. Telemetry data provides the team with real-time information such as throttle position, speed, braking forces, temperatures, pressures and steering. Drivers also use telemetry to study their lap times.
Torque	Literally, the turning or twisting force of an engine, torque is generally used as a measure of an engine's flexibility. An engine may be very powerful, but if it has little torque then that power may only be available over a limited rev range, making it of limited use to the driver. An engine with more torque - even if it has less power - may actually prove quicker on many tracks, as the power is available over a far wider rev range and hence more accessible. Good torque is particularly vital on circuits with a number of mid- to slow-speed turns, where acceleration out of the corners is essential to a good lap time.
Traction Control	With all the power a Formula One engine produce the car can never generate enough traction (grip). To prevent wheel spin the teams use an electronic system called traction control to regulate the engines power whenever it detects the rear wheels spinning.
Tyre compound	The type of rubber mix used in the construction of a tyre, ranging from soft through medium to hard, with each offering a different performance and wear characteristic.
Tyre warmer	Tyres operate best a certain temperature - in the case of Formula One tyres, it is around 90°C. Before the car is sent out on the track the tyres are heated up by specially shaped electric blankets known as tyre warmers.
Tyres	With Bridgestone becoming Formula One racing's sole supplier from 2007, each team will receive only two specifications of tyre per event – hard and soft. However, they will get more sets than in previous years - four per driver on the Friday and ten for the remainder of the weekend. Each driver must use both specifications during the race and a large white dot on the sidewall of the softer compound will allow spectators to easily distinguish which tyre a driver is using at any time.