So you’ve binged Drive to Survive, and now you’re ready to fully immerse yourself in the world of Formula 1. Welcome to the grind. From waking up at 2:00 AM to watch a practice session to living in Charles Leclerc’s pain every weekend, get ready to clear your weekend schedule.
But there’s a high barrier to entry for F1 despite the Netflix coverage. Pundits and commentators throw around words like “marbles” and “blisters,” and what in the world is “Parc Ferme,” and why does it sound so delicious?
There’s nothing we love more than welcoming new fans into the fold, so here are some terms you’ll hear a lot during a race weekend and what they mean. Welcome to the paddock!
Strategy Essentials
F1 is as much about strategy as it is about straight-line speed. These are some of the terms used most on the pitwall.
Tires Are Key
Like road cars, tires are one of the most important upgrades you can make. They are the only contact point with the asphalt, and therefore have one of the biggest effects on performance when changed. They’re just as important in F1.
Lewis Hamilton makes Ferrari F1 test debut at Fiorano 2025
Photo by: Davide Cavazza
2026 Tech You Need to Know
There are a number of new terms that will be used for the 2026 season.
Where the Drama Lives
F1 is about loopholes and misleading the competition. While the paddock is a friendly place and the rivalries highlighted by Drive to Survive and social media are exaggerated, it’s still a dog-eat-dog world out there. Teams are here to win.