Backmarker A car that gets a blue flag to let someone pass by because he is a lap up. Balaclava Fireproof face mask made of Nomex®, a flame retardant synthetic fibre. It is worn under the helmet. Ballast Weights fixed around the car to maximise its balance and in order to alter it to the minimum weight limit.  Bargeboard or Turning VanesThis is the part of the car body mounted vertically located between the front wheels. It is an aerodynamic panel to help ensure there is a smooth airflow around the side of the car and into the sidepods. Bead Serves as an anchor to hold the tyre to the rim. Belts (tyre) A core component of tyres. They may be steel, nylon, polyester or other materials, and form a literal belt around the tyre for strength and puncture resistance. Belts (tyre wall) A band wrapped around tyre walls in order to prevent cars burying themselves into or under the protective wall. Black and White Diagonal Halved Flag  Accompanied by a car number, it warns of unsporting behaviour. May be followed by a black flag if the driver does not heed the warning.Black Box See Accident Data Recorder. Black Flag  Shown with a car number to indicate that the driver must call into the pits immediately, usually because he has broken the rules and will be disqualified. At the Singapore night race, in which the flag system is replaced by panels of lights, the black flag is indicated by illuminating a white border with the rest of the panel left black.Black Flag with Orange Circle  Known as "the meatball" flag, it is shown with a car number to indicate that the car has a mechanical problem that could endanger themselves or others and the driver must return to his pit immediately. They can then rejoin the race following repairs.Blistering Usually the result of a tyre experiencing high internal temperature. When it becomes too hot in one area it can cause gasification of ingredients and form a blister, a crater-like appearance, in the tread area of the tyre. The selection of an incorrect tyre compound (i.e. one that is too soft for the circuit conditions), tyre pressure that is too high, or an improperly set-up car can cause blistering. The problem was less common while grooved tyres were in use. Blue Flag  Shown to a driver to indicate that a faster car is behind him and trying to overtake. Shown both to lapped cars and those racing. A lapped car must allow the faster car past after seeing a maximum of three blue flags or risk being penalised. However a racing car is under no obligation to move over and it is just a warning. Blue lights are also displayed at the end of the pit lane when the pit exit is open and a car on track is approaching.Boots Formula 1 shoes are ankle boots made of soft, cushioned leather. They have thin rubber soles with good grip to prevent drivers’ feet from slipping off the pedals. Bottoming A term used by drivers to describe the effect of the suspension having deflected to the limit of its sprung travel over bumps or under braking. Brake Balance To gain a better balance when braking, the driver can adjust the brake force distribution between the front and the rear axle even during the race via a dial on the steering wheel.  Brake DuctA type of air duct that directs air onto the brakes to cool them down. These can vary from race to race, following the needs of brake cooling, as one circuit may demand more brake performance than another. Brakes The regulations call for two separate, independent braking circuits operated from a single pedal, one circuit for the front wheels and the second for the rear. Brake discs must have a maximum thickness of 28 millimetres and a maximum diameter of 278 millimetres. Anti-lock systems are prohibited, as are cooling systems using fluids. British Racing Green A dark green colour which used to be the official racing colour for British cars.  |