Ferrari - - -The most famous of all Grand Prix teams, Ferrari has been part of the Formula One World Championship since the first race, in 1950. As of the beginning of the 1999 season, it had contested 603 Grands Prix, scored 119 wins and won the World Constructors' Championship eight times. Its drivers have secured 10 World Championships, the most recent in 2000 (Michael Schumacher)
Ferrari, Enzo - - -Founder of the Formula One team that bears his name, he was famous for his single-mindedness and complete lack of emotional attachment to his cars ("My best car is the next one I build," is one of his better-known comments). Enzo Ferrari moved into the building of road cars as a way of helping to finance his motor racing activities. Both operations are now part of the massive Fiat group.
Ferrari, Enzo e Dino Circuit - - -Located in Imola, this is the home of the San Marino Grand Prix. The 4.930-km circuit, named after Enzo Ferrari and his son, Dino, has been the scene of dramatic, and occasionally tragic events over the years. It was the site of Gilles Villeneuve's last Grand Prix in 1982, and where drivers Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger lost their lives in 1994.
FIA - - -Based in Geneva, the FIA, or Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, is the world governing body for motorsport. It administers the sport through a series of affiliated ASNs (national motorsport bodies) and is responsible for controlling both the technical and sporting aspects of motorsport. The FIA also administers a number of major international championships, including Formula One.
Fire control - - -All F1 cars must be fitted with a fire extinguishing system that discharges into the cockpit and the engine compartment. The fire extinguishers must discharge 95 per cent of their contents within 10 seconds and 100 per cent no more than 30 seconds after engagement.
Firestone - - -Famous tyre manufacturer, founded in America, but now owned by the Japanese Bridgestone Corporation. Bridgestone currently uses the Firestone name for its North American Champ Car (Indy car) racing programme, but retains the Bridgestone brand for its Formula One involvement.
Fisichella, Giancarlo - - -Staying for a fourth season at Benneton, Giancarlo Fisichella looked to be one of the rising stars of F1. His career is in danger of stagnating unless he can either get some good results or move on to another team.
Flags - - -A series of 10 standard flags is used by track officials to convey important information to Formula One drivers when they are on the circuit.
Fly-by-wire - - -More correctly known as "drive-by-wire", this electronic system involves the elimination of a direct mechanical link between the throttle pedal and engine. Throttle input is fed electronically to an on-board engine control unit (ECU) that then manages the behaviour of the engine accordingly.
Formula One Television - - -The TV service which broadcasts images around the world from each Formula One race (See BAKERVILLE).
Ford - - -Second largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, Ford is the only company to be involved in motorsport's four major disciplines: Formula One, the World Rally Championship, Champ Car (Indy car) and NASCAR. Directly involved in Formula One through its Jaguar subsidiary.
Formation lap - - -A final "warm-up" lap taken by Formula One cars before they reposition themselves on the grid, in their qualifying positions, for the start of a Grand Prix. This is to allow drivers to make a last-minute check of track conditions and to ensure there are no major problems with their cars.
Formula One Holdings - - -Company formed by BERNIE ECCLESTONEto prepare for the flotation of Formula One television rights and promotional activities related to the sport.
Forti, Team - - -Short-lived Italian Grand Prix team formed by motor racing enthusiast, Guido Forti. Competed for a season-and-a-half in 1995-96. It is because of the poor showing of Team Forti-Corse that new F1 teams must now post a bond with the FIA to prove that they are financially viable.
Free practice - - -Practice sessions are held two days before an F1 race (three days in Monaco) from 11:00 a.m. to noon, and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. On the day before an event, free practice is scheduled for 9:00-9:45 a.m., and from 10:15-11:00 a.m. QUALIFYING PRACTICE follows two hours later. The interval between free practice and QUALIFYING PRACTICE may never be less than one hour and 30 minutes.
French Grand Prix - - -See GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE F1.
Frentzen, Heinz-Harald - - -H-H Frentzen followed DAMON HILL, the driver he replaced at WILLIAMS to the JORDAN team where he has stayed for 4 seasons. At the start of his career he was compared favourably with MICHAEL SCHUMACHER but has not shown that form in F1.
Fuel tanks - - -The fuel tank of an F1 race car must be a single rubber bladder, and must be made by an FIA-approved manufacturer. As well, the fuel tank must be surrounded by a crushable structure, which is an integral part of the carbon fibre "SURVIVAL CELL" in which the driver sits.
Fuel tank fillers - - -Piping devices with specially designed hatches or fittings which prevent spillage or leakage of fuel during refuelling, while the car is running. By regulation, fuel tank fillers may not protrude beyond the bodywork.