Knowledge

F1 GUIDES

Concepts & rules, explained simply

Plain-English explainers for the ideas behind Formula 1 — from pit-stop strategy to the rulebook. Accurate, jargon-free, and a tap away from the TELOS tools that put them into practice.

What is an undercut in F1? The undercut is a pit-stop strategy where a driver pits earlier than a rival to gain time on fresh tyres and emerge ahead. Here is how it works. Read guide F1 tyre compounds explained Soft, medium and hard slicks plus intermediate and wet tyres — what each F1 tyre compound does and why teams choose between speed and durability. Read guide DRS in F1: what replaced it for 2026 DRS ran from 2011 to 2025. For 2026 it is gone, replaced by active aerodynamics and a manual override power boost. What changed, why, and how DRS worked historically. Read guide What is parc fermé in F1? Parc fermé is the period when teams may no longer change their cars. Learn what it locks down, when it starts, and why breaking it brings penalties. Read guide How F1 points work F1 awards points to the top ten finishers on a sliding scale, with extra points for sprint races. How drivers and constructors score in 2026. Read guide F1 qualifying format explained (Q1, Q2, Q3) F1 qualifying runs in three knockout segments — Q1, Q2 and Q3 — that set the starting grid. How drivers are eliminated and how pole is decided. Read guide What is the fastest-lap point in F1? The fastest-lap point was a bonus championship point for the quickest lap of a race. It is not awarded in 2026 — here is how it worked and why it was dropped. Read guide Fuel-corrected lap time, explained Fuel-corrected lap time adjusts raw lap times for the car getting lighter as fuel burns, revealing true underlying pace. Why analysts use it. Read guide Active aerodynamics in F1 2026, explained For 2026, F1 cars use active aerodynamics: movable front and rear wings that switch between a low-drag straight-line mode and a high-downforce corner mode, replacing DRS. Read guide The 2026 F1 power unit (50% electric), explained F1's 2026 power unit splits power roughly 50/50 between the turbo engine and a much bigger electric motor, runs on 100% sustainable fuel, and drops the MGU-H. Read guide F1 manual override / push-to-pass, explained In 2026 the overtaking aid is a manual override: a chasing driver deploys extra battery energy for a temporary power boost on the straights, replacing DRS. Read guide 2026 F1 rule changes: what is new A plain-English rundown of F1's 2026 changes: new 50% electric power units, 100% sustainable fuel, active aerodynamics replacing DRS, lighter nimbler cars and more. Read guide

Reference explainers for F1 fans · written and maintained by TELOS.
Reviewed for the 2026 season · rules can change, so we re-check each guide regularly.