Janice R. Andrews
A lot of people are interested in Formula One these days, thanks to interesting drivers like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles LeClerc. Also, Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series has shown new viewers how serious the drama is behind the scenes. But the complex terms used in the sport, like “interval,” can be hard for beginners to understand.
The word “interval” is often seen on the live Formula One leaderboard during a race. It tells each driver how much time is between them and the driver in front of them. For example, if the interval next to the name of the second-placed car says “+3.450,” it means that they are 3.450 seconds behind the winner. This goes down the column and shows how far behind each car is from the one in front of them.
Why is the gap important?
It is very important to understand the period, especially when it comes to the Drag Reduction System (DRS). By lowering air drag, DRS gives the driver an edge in speed. The gap time shows that a car can use DRS if it is less than one second behind the car in front of it.
The DRS can only be used in certain parts of the track, usually on long straightaways. This makes passing easier and races more exciting. If a driver sees that their gap time is within that important one-second mark, they can use DRS to try to pass the car in front of them.
Formula One is a sport with a lot of strategy. For new fans, understanding terms like “interval” makes the sport even more interesting to watch.
