What Is a Hairpin Corner in F1?

A hairpin is a very tight, slow corner where the track bends back almost 180 degrees in the opposite direction — like the shape of a hairpin clip. Hairpins are among the slowest corners on any circuit, requiring drivers to brake heavily from high speed. They are frequently the scene of overtaking attempts because the long braking zone gives a following driver the chance to out-brake the car ahead. Famous F1 hairpins include Loews at Monaco and the Dunlop Hairpin at the Hungaroring.

Example: He’s going for the move around the outside of the hairpin — that’s a bold piece of driving!