Interval

In motorsport, an interval is the time gap between two consecutive cars on the track, measured in seconds and displayed on the timing screens during a race.

When you watch a Formula 1 race or other motorsport event, you'll see numbers next to each driver's name on the leaderboard. These numbers, usually shown with a plus sign like "+1.445", represent the interval—how many seconds behind the car directly in front of them they are. Think of it like measuring the distance between runners in a race, except instead of meters or feet, we use time.

The interval is measured using electronic transponders fitted to each car. These devices send signals to receivers placed around the circuit, allowing race officials to calculate precise time differences down to thousandths of a second. This technology gives teams, drivers, and fans real-time information about how close the racing action really is.

For example, if the leaderboard shows the race leader with no number, the second-place driver with "+0.8", and the third-place driver with "+1.2", this means second place is 0.8 seconds behind first place, and third place is 1.2 seconds behind second place. If you wanted to know how far third place is from the leader, you would add these intervals together to get 2.0 seconds total.

It's important to understand the difference between "interval" and "gap to leader." The interval always shows the time to the car directly ahead, while gap to leader shows the total time behind the race leader. Some broadcasts switch between these two displays, so watch for the label that tells you which measurement you're seeing.

Intervals matter for race strategy in several important ways. Teams use this information to decide when to make pit stops, knowing they need enough of a gap to come back out without losing positions. Drivers use interval data to judge whether they can catch the car ahead or if they need to defend against the car behind.

In Formula 1 specifically, the interval is crucial for the Drag Reduction System, or DRS. This overtaking aid only activates when a driver is within one second of the car in front at special detection zones on the track. Without accurate interval measurements, this system couldn't work.

Understanding intervals helps you appreciate the true competition happening during a race. A gap of 0.5 seconds means intense, wheel-to-wheel racing, while a gap of 20 seconds usually means one driver has the race under control. The intervals tell the real story of who's fighting for position and who's comfortably cruising to the finish.