September 2, 2026
SUPER FORMULA Glossary
Explanation of Common Terms Heard During Viewing
Knowing these will make watching even more enjoyable!
- Starting Grid
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This refers to the position where vehicles stop in preparation for the start. It is marked with white lines, and cars line up in order from the front according to their qualifying positions. Odd-numbered grids and even-numbered grids are staggered, with an 8-meter gap between each grid. The distance between front and back positions (for example, pole position and third place) is 16 meters.
- Official Qualifying
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Qualifying is a time attack where drivers compete for the fastest lap to determine the starting positions (starting grid) for the race.
In the Super Formula held at SUZUKA CIRCUIT, qualifying is divided into two stages.
■Q1 (Qualifying Stage 1)
The participating cars are divided into Group A and Group B, and each group competes for the best times. The top 6 drivers from each group (a total of 12) advance to the next stage.
■Q2 (Qualifying Stage 2)
The 12 drivers who advance from Q1 will compete in another time attack to determine the starting order for the final race. The fastest driver will earn the front-row starting position called the "pole position."
In other words, qualifying is a very important battle to decide "who gets to start at the very front!"
- Final Race
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Drivers compete to complete the set number of laps as quickly as possible. On November 21 (Sat) and 22 (Sun), the All-Japan Super Formula Championship Rounds 11 and 12 will be held with two races: Round 11 on Saturday (31 Laps or 75 mins) and Round 12 on Sunday (31 Laps or 75 mins).
- Points System
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In the race, points are awarded according to the finishing position. By collecting many of these points, the season champion is decided.
■Points for the Final Race
1st place: 20 points
2nd place: 15 points
3rd place: 11 points
Points decrease as the ranking goes lower.
10th place: 1 point
11th place and below: No points
■Points Are Also Awarded in Qualifying!
1st place: 3 points
2nd place: 2 points
3rd place: 1 point
In other words, points are awarded not only in the final race but also in qualifying, so every run is very important. By accumulating points throughout the season, the annual champions (drivers and teams) are decided!
- Out Lap / In Lap
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■ Out Lap
A lap when the car leaves the pit and enters the course.
At this time, the tires are still cold, making them slippery and difficult to gain speed. You need to drive carefully until the tires warm up.
■ In Lap
A lap when the car returns from the course to the pit. This is the lap driven when heading to the pit for tire changes or other work.
- Overtake
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Overtaking refers to passing the car in front during a race. The moment this happens is very thrilling and is one of the highlights of watching the race!
■Types of Overtaking
Side-by-Side: Running side by side
Tail-to-Nose: Running closely one behind the other
■Places Where Overtaking Is Likely to Occur (In the Case of SUZUKA CIRCUIT)
At the entry to the chicane: Because drivers brake hard from high speed to enter the corner, differences in braking timing create opportunities for overtaking.
From the home straight to Turn 1: In battles at the chicane, the distance between cars becomes close, and they head toward the home straight and Turn 1 from the final corner maintaining that gap, creating overtaking opportunities.
- OTS (Overtake System)
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It is like a "boost function" that temporarily increases the car's power during the race.
This enhances acceleration performance for a short time. It can be used not only to overtake but also to defend against being overtaken by cars behind, serving both offense and defense.
■Key Points for Use
Each car can use it for up to 200 seconds per race. Drivers can turn it on and off at their preferred timing using a switch on the steering wheel.
However, once used, it cannot be reused for a short period (the duration varies depending on the circuit), so choosing the right moment to use it is very important.
In other words, OTS is a secret weapon for speeding up, used at the crucial "now or never!" moments!
- Undercut / Overcut
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There is a strategy to get ahead of your opponent by cleverly timing your tire changes during the race.
Basic Knowledge of Undercut / Overcut
Tires: Tires are fastest when new. As you complete laps, the tires wear down and your pace slows. However, new tires are still cold, slippery, and difficult to drive fast on. You need to drive carefully until the tires warm up.
Traffic: When running in a group, the gaps between cars ahead and behind close up, making it difficult to run at your own pace and causing lap times to slow down. The easiest and fastest condition for drivers is when there is space between cars, like in qualifying.
■Undercut
This is a strategy where you change tires before your opponent and use the faster pace afterward to get ahead when your opponent finishes their tire change. The opportunity arises when your opponent is stuck behind a slower car (traffic). In other words, it’s a "change first and win with speed!" strategy.
■ Overcut
This strategy involves maintaining a fast pace on the track and making a tire change later than your opponent to move ahead. Since newly changed tires may not be able to run fast immediately, you use that time to build a gap. It’s advantageous if your current tires can still run quickly. This is the "delay the tire change and seize the opportunity!" strategy.
- Downforce
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To make the car run fast, a force that presses the body of the car against the ground is necessary. This force is called "downforce." It uses the airflow skillfully to press the car body down onto the ground.
In Super Formula cars, this force is mainly generated by the "front and rear wings" and the "floor" of the car.
The wing is shaped like an inverted airplane wing, cleverly manipulating the airflow to generate a downward force on the car.
The floor allows air to flow quickly between the bottom of the car and the ground, creating a suction-like force.
This downforce enables the car to maintain high speeds even through curves. It is truly the secret behind Super Formula’s speed!
- Parc Fermé
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After the race ends, the special storage area where the machines are parked is called "Parc Fermé."
■Key Points of Parc Fermé
It is located near the place where the post-race inspection (technical inspection) of the machines is conducted.
Until the inspection is complete, entry is prohibited to anyone except authorized personnel. To ensure there are no rule violations, the machines cannot be moved for a while.
It is also the place where the winning driver bursts with joy.
- Pit
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The place where car maintenance and work are done during the race or when the car is not running is called the "pit."
■Role of the Pit
It is the place for assembling, adjusting, and repairing the car. When the car is not running, tire changes and setting adjustments are made inside the pit.
■Pit Work During the Race
The car stops in front of the pit to perform urgent tasks such as tire changes or replacing broken parts. This action is called a "pit-in" or "pit stop."
- Paddock
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This is the space behind the pit. Originally a horse racing term, it refers to the area where racehorses are walked before the race starts. It also serves the purpose of allowing fans to observe the condition of the horses. In Super Formula, the paddock is lined with the teams' racing machine transport trucks (transporters).
Here Is the Paddock Area!
If you have Paddock Passes, you can enter the paddock. It’s a great chance to see the drivers and machines up close!
>> For more about Paddock Passes, click here
- Pit Lane
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The passage where cars leave the course to change tires or make repairs during the race is called the pit lane.
This passage has two lanes with different roles.
■ Fast Lane (High-Speed Lane)
Lane closer to the home straight
Passage where cars can travel at speeds up to 60 km/h
■ Inner Lane (Work Lane)
Lane on the pit side
Space for tasks such as tire changes
- Yellow, Green, Red Light Panels
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To inform drivers on the track about the conditions on the course, signals are given using the colors of the light panels on the track.
■Yellow Light Panel
This is a signal to indicate that an accident or trouble has occurred and there is danger on the course.
Overtaking is prohibited in the section where this light panel is displayed.
■Green Light Panel
This is a signal to indicate that the dangerous section has ended and normal driving can resume.
■Red Light Panel
This is used when the session (running time) is temporarily suspended due to a serious accident or worsening weather conditions.
- Checkered Flag
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The flag that signals the end of the race is called the "Checkered Flag." It features a very noticeable black and white checkerboard pattern.
■Meaning of the Checkered Flag
It is waved when the prescribed number of laps or time for the race has ended.
The checkered flag is waved the moment the car running in the lead passes the control line (finish line). The driver who finishes first is said to have "received the top checker."
■What is a Double Checker?
When a car on the track mistakenly receives the checkered flag twice. This can be a violation of the rules and may result in a penalty.
- Safety Car
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It is a special vehicle that appears to safely continue the race when dangerous situations occur due to accidents or bad weather during the race. This is called the "Safety Car (SC)".
■Role of the Safety Car
It comes out onto the course to safely lead the running cars.
While the safety car is out, overtaking is prohibited. When the track is wet due to rain or other conditions, the safety car may lead the start of the race.
■ What does it mean when the lamp turns off?
When the lamp on the roof of the safety car turns off, the race will resume from the next lap.
