Delta
Delta (Δ) in general is a term used by scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to point out the change in quantity as compared to a reference quantity. Δtime (time delta), Δpress (pressure delta), Δtemp (temperature delta) and so on.
F1 is all all about technology and geting technical, even if it comes to the terms used during an F1 race. The use of technical jargon in Formula 1 is quite high. For experts and long-term fans, these jargons become easier to understand and differentiate, but a beginner who is not used to the terms used in F1 can easily get lost when this terms are spoken during races. One such term is Delta.
Formally, ΔT is the time difference ΔT = Tmax − Tmin.
So, in F1 it's used to illustrate the time difference or change between two lap times between two cars or between a lap time and a reference time in Formula 1 racing.
If a driver is going slower than a reference lap time, they have a positive delta, which is measured in seconds, and tenths, hundredths and thousandths of a second. The delta is used to keep track of the driver's pace during a session.
For example, when you're watching qualifying, the live feed will show the driver's delta to the pole position time. If their sectors are a personal best, the delta will be green. If their sector is the fastest in the entire session it will be purple, and a yellow sector is slower than their personal best and the fastest time.
But there is also therms "Delta Positive" and "Delta Negative". Let's explaim this:
Whenever there are yellow flags waved due to a crash or temporary blockade on the track, the Virtual Safety Car is deployed. This is where drivers are often informed by their race engineers about their status so as to when they need to keep their Delta Positive. But what is this "Delta Positive" then?
Delta positive is used when drivers are instructed to drive slower than a pre-defined lap time, such as in a "Virtual Safety Car". Delta time is the difference between a driver's current lap and the pre-defined lap time, so when a driver is above that lap time, it is referred to as "delta positive." Delta Positive: You're driving slower than the pre-defined time.
On the other hand, if a driver is below that lap time, it is referred to as "delta negative," so it is a term with different conceptions. Stick around to find out all about delta positive.
For every circuit, there's a pre-defined lap time. Whenever there's a virtual safety car situation, drivers are asked to abide by that lap time.
