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| UNDER STEER | |
| The situation that results when a car has more grip at the rear than the front. Depending on the severity of the under steer, the car can either run slightly wide when cornering or, in extreme cases, it can go off the road nose-first. | |
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| UNDERTRAY | |
| Also known as the floor, the undertray houses the monocoque, engine/gearbox, and other chassis components. | |
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| VERSTAPPEN, JOS | |
| The Dutch driver has driven for many teams in his career, but has never tasted real success despite his potential. Beginning in 1994 for Benetton, the Dutchman went on to drive for Simtek, Tyrrell, Stewart and Arrows. Verstappen was chosen to lead Honda back into Formula One with their works effort, but once that project was shelved Verstappen re-joined Arrows until the end of 2001. In 2003 Verstappen drove for the Minardi Team. | |
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| VILLENEUVE, GILLES | |
| Despite being one of the most exciting and outstanding drivers who boasted some of the most sublime driving skills ever known to man, never managed to win the World Championship. Fate played a harsh hand before he achieved Championship results, when he was killed at Zolder in 1982. | |
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| VILLENEUVE, JACQUES | |
| Indy 500 winner and CART champion, Jacques, the son of Gilles, arrived on the F1 scene with a bang claiming pole position in very first race of the 1996 season. Lost out to team-mate Hill for the title but won it convincingly in 1997. A move to BAR in 1999 has yet to yield any firm results but the Canadian remains with the team in 2002 and 2003. | |
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| WARM-UP | |
| Warm-up sessions take place on the race day at exactly 4:30 hours before the race starting time, lasting for 30 minutes, it is a free practice session. | |
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| WATKINS, SID | |
| Head medical staff during all Grand Prix. Due to him many safety and medical regulations have been improved. | |
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| WATSON, JOHN | |
| One of the "ancient" makes of racing cars. Won three editions of the Indianapolis Grand Prix: in 1956 (Pat Flaherty), 1958 (Rodger Ward) and 1959 (Jim Rathmann). | |
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| WEIGHT, MINIMUM | |
| Minimum weight is 600 kg, including the driver's weight and his race equipment as stipulated by F.I.A. rules. | |
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| WEST | |
| Since 1997, Reemtsma, through its leading brand West, has been the Title Partner of the West McLaren Mercedes Formula One team. | |
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| WHEEL CABLE | |
| According to 1999 regulations, cables are fitted to prevent the wheels becoming separated from the car in an accident. | |
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| WILLIAMS | |
| Founded in 1977 by Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head, this team has been highly successful in F1 with nine constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships. When Williams partnered with Renault, it was to be the marriage made in heaven, with four of the seven drivers' titles coming with the French engines. | |
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| WIND TUNNEL | |
| Tunnel which is used to test the effects that moving air has on racing cars. Air is forced through the tunnel at different speeds, the effects are measured by special wind gauges and electronic devices. | |
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| X-TRACK | |
| Well-known British designer and builder of F1 gearboxes, gears, differentials, drive shaft's, steering components and engine gears. | |
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| X-WINGS | |
| Small, mid-ships-mounted wings, also dubbed "wing towers" and "candelabra". These were introduced by Tyrrell on its 1997 car, the 025, and were intended to provide additional "clean-air" DOWN FORCE near the centre of the car to compensate for the loss of aerodynamic down force from the front wing experienced when traveling close to another car. This innovative piece of design was banned by the F.I.A .on safety grounds prior to the 1998 SPANISH GRAND PRIX. | |
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| YELLOW FLAG | |
| Stationary flag: Warns the driver to proceed with caution and avoid overtaking as there is a hazard close to the track. Waved flag: Warns the driver to slow down, avoid overtaking and be prepared to deviate from the racing line since there is a hazard on the track. Double-waved flag: Warns the driver to slow down, avoid overtaking and be prepared to stop since the track is completely or partially blocked. | |
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| ZANDVOORT | |
| Circuit on the North Sea, in Holland, which hosted all of the 30 Dutch Grand's Prix between 1952 - '85. Measuring 4.252km in length (in the last six race configuration), this circuit was conquered four times by the brilliant Jimmy Clark, and three each by Stewart and Lauda. | |
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| ZELTWEG | |
| Village in Austria and former site of the first Austrian Grand Prix. The one and only race was held here was in 1964. | |
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| ZHUHAI | |
| Relatively new auto racing facility in China, home to future Formula One races. The World Motor Sport Council kept it as a reserve site on the calendar for 1999. | |
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| ZOLDER | |
| Belgian town. Hosted 10 editions of the Belgian Grand Prix (in 1973, 1975-82, and 1984). The track witnessed Gilles Villeneuve's death in 1982 race. Zolder has not staged a Grand Prix race since then. | |