F1 gap to leader vs interval explained: what each timing-screen number measures, why they diverge, and how to read them during a live race. On the timing screen during an F1 broadcast, fans may see the word “interval” at the top of the chart. That refers to the times displayed next to the name of each driver in their order on the. Formula 1 is a competition that involves close margins. Data is crucially important in Formula 1 for everyone, from the fans to the drivers. One element of data that is used most often during the course of an F1 Grand Prix is the interval. The interval in F1 refers to the gap between two different cars. Intervals are always measured in seconds, and they are accurate to one ten thousandth of a. In F1, interval refers to the time gap between a driver and the car directly ahead of them in the classification. It is measured in seconds and thousandths of a second. These timings serve as a snapshot of how far each driver trails behind the race leader. Essentially, it’s the sum of all the time gaps between every driver and the one setting the pace. What does interval mean in F1 In Formula 1, an interval typically refers to the time difference between two cars on the track. It indicates how far ahead or behind one car is compared to another. These intervals are measured in terms of time, usually in seconds or milliseconds, and they play a crucial role in understanding the relative positions of cars during a race. Teams and drivers use. After that, every chasing driver has a number against their name, sometimes with a + before it. That denotes how far they are behind the leader, and that is the interval. For example, if you see this during a race: 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): Interval. 2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull): +14.025. Interval in F1 refers to the time difference between two drivers on the track, usually expressed in seconds or fractions of a second. It shows how far ahead or behind a driver is relative to another competitor, often used to track gaps, strategize pit stops, and analyze race performance. Learn what 'interval' means in Formula 1: how time gaps between cars are measured, what they show, and why they’re key for DRS, pit stops, and race strategy You're watching the race and there's a number next to every driver's name — +1.234, +12.567. What do these gaps actually tell you about who's winning and by how much? Those numbers show how far behind each driver is from the race leader, measured in seconds. If Lewis Hamilton shows +3.214, he's 3.214 seconds behind whoever's in first place.