What Are Sector Times in F1?
Understanding the color-coded timing system that reveals exactly where drivers gain or lose time on every lap.
How F1 Tracks Are Divided
Every Formula 1 circuit is divided into three sectors of roughly equal length. Timing loops at the end of each sector record precisely how long it takes each driver to complete that section of the track.
- Sector 1 (S1): From the start/finish line to the first timing point
- Sector 2 (S2): From the first timing point to the second
- Sector 3 (S3): From the second timing point back to the start/finish line
The sum of all three sector times equals the total lap time. This breakdown helps teams identify exactly where their car is strong or weak compared to competitors.
The Color Code System
F1 uses a simple color system to instantly show how a sector time compares to other times:
Purple Sector
The fastest sector time of the entire session. When a driver goes purple, they've set the quickest time anyone has achieved in that sector during qualifying or the race. This is the benchmark all others are compared against.
Green Sector
The driver's personal best sector time. A green sector means they've improved on their own previous best in that sector, even if it's not the overall fastest. Shows the driver is finding pace.
Yellow Sector
Slower than the driver's personal best. A yellow sector indicates the driver lost time compared to their own best performance. Could be due to traffic, mistakes, tire wear, or saving tires.
How Teams Use Sector Data
Sector times are invaluable for understanding car performance and driver ability:
- Car setup: If a car is consistently slow in high-speed sectors but fast in technical sections, engineers might adjust downforce levels
- Driver coaching: Comparing sector times between teammates reveals where one driver might be losing time
- Strategy decisions: Declining sector times can indicate tire degradation, helping teams time pit stops
- Qualifying analysis: Understanding which sectors a driver excels in helps predict race pace
Mini Sectors
Beyond the three main sectors, F1 timing systems also track "mini sectors" - smaller segments within each sector. A typical track has around 20-25 mini sectors, allowing extremely detailed analysis.
Mini sectors help identify specific corners or sections where time is gained or lost. For example, a team might discover their car loses 0.15 seconds through a particular chicane but gains 0.20 seconds through a fast sweeper.
Reading Sector Times During Qualifying
During qualifying, watching sector times unfold is one of the most exciting aspects:
- Three purple sectors on a lap almost always means a new fastest time overall
- A driver can have purple in S1 and S2 but still lose pole if they make a mistake in S3
- The "theoretical best lap" combines each driver's best individual sectors - showing what they could achieve with a perfect lap