Data Schema Reference

tif1 provides data in a structured format consistent with fastf1. This page lists every column in the main DataFrames.

tif1 uses PascalCase for all column names in Lap and Telemetry DataFrames, for example LapTime and Speed.

This page documents the DataFrame columns that tif1 provides. tif1 builds these DataFrames from raw JSON files in the TracingInsights data repos. The repos store the data under short abbreviated keys: s1, vi1, wWS. Every raw field is documented in the Data Reference.

⏱️ Lap Data (`session.laps`)

The laps DataFrame contains one row for every lap completed by every driver in the session.

Core Timing

Column	Type	Unit	Description
`LapNumber`	`int`	-	Which lap this is (starts at 1).
`LapTime`	`float`	Seconds	The total time to complete the lap.
`SessionTime`	`float`	Seconds	Time when the lap ended relative to session start.
`LapStartTime`	`float`	Seconds	Time when the lap started relative to session start.
`LapStartDate`	`str`	ISO8601	Absolute calendar timestamp when the lap started.

Sectors & Speed Traps

Column	Type	Unit	Description
`Sector1Time`	`float`	Seconds	Time taken to complete Sector 1.
`Sector2Time`	`float`	Seconds	Time taken to complete Sector 2.
`Sector3Time`	`float`	Seconds	Time taken to complete Sector 3.
`Sector1SessionTime`	`float`	Seconds	Session time when Sector 1 was completed.
`Sector2SessionTime`	`float`	Seconds	Session time when Sector 2 was completed.
`Sector3SessionTime`	`float`	Seconds	Session time when Sector 3 was completed.
`SpeedI1`	`float`	km/h	Speed at intermediate point 1 (Sector 1 trap).
`SpeedI2`	`float`	km/h	Speed at intermediate point 2 (Sector 2 trap).
`SpeedFL`	`float`	km/h	Speed at the finish line.
`SpeedST`	`float`	km/h	Speed at the speed trap (usually longest straight).

Tires & Strategy

Column	Type	Description
`Compound`	`str`	Tire compound used (`SOFT`, `MEDIUM`, `HARD`, `INTERMEDIATE`, `WET`).
`TyreLife`	`int`	Number of laps driven on this set of tires.
`FreshTyre`	`bool`	`True` if the set was new when fitted.
`Stint`	`int`	The stint number (starts at 1).

Status & Metadata

Column	Type	Description
`Driver`	`str`	3-letter driver identifier (e.g., `VER`).
`DriverNumber`	`str`	The car number (e.g., `33`, `44`).
`Team`	`str`	Team name.
`Position`	`int`	Running position at the end of the lap.
`TrackStatus`	`str`	Status codes (1=Green, 2=Yellow, 4=SC, 6=VSC).
`IsPersonalBest`	`bool`	Whether this was the driver’s fastest valid lap.
`IsAccurate`	`bool`	`True` if timing data passed basic accuracy checks.
`Deleted`	`bool`	`True` if the lap was deleted (e.g., track limits).
`DeletedReason`	`str`	Reason for lap deletion if applicable.
`FastF1Generated`	`bool`	`True` if the lap was interpolated to fill gaps.

🎯 Telemetry Data (`lap.telemetry`)

High-frequency samples (approx. 4Hz) recorded throughout a lap.

Car Metrics

Column	Type	Unit	Description
`Time`	`float`	Seconds	Time from the start of the lap.
`Speed`	`float`	km/h	Current speed of the car.
`RPM`	`int`	RPM	Engine revolutions per minute.
`nGear`	`int`	-	Current gear (1-8, 0 for Neutral, -1 for Reverse).
`Throttle`	`float`	%	Throttle pedal position (0-100).
`Brake`	`bool`	-	`True` if the brake pedal is being pressed.
`DRS`	`int`	-	DRS status (0=Off, 10+=On/Open).

Spatial Data

Column	Type	Unit	Description
`Distance`	`float`	Meters	Distance driven since the start of the lap.
`RelativeDistance`	`float`	-	Normalized distance (0.0 to 1.0).
`X`, `Y`, `Z`	`float`	Meters	3D coordinates of the car on the track.

Acceleration (G-Forces)

These are mathematically derived and smoothed from position and speed data.

Column	Direction	Computation Formula
`AccelerationX`	Longitudinal	`ax = gradient(v_ms) / gradient(time)`
`AccelerationY`	Lateral	`ay = v² × Curvature`
`AccelerationZ`	Vertical	`az = v² × Vertical_Curvature`

Longitudinal acceleration is smoothed with a 3-point moving average. Lateral and Vertical are smoothed with a 9-point moving average to reduce noise.

🌡️ Weather Data (`session.weather`)

Environmental conditions recorded once per minute.

Column	Type	Unit	Description
`Time`	`float`	Seconds	Time since session start.
`AirTemp`	`float`	°C	Ambient air temperature.
`TrackTemp`	`float`	°C	Asphalt surface temperature.
`Humidity`	`float`	%	Relative humidity.
`Pressure`	`float`	mbar	Atmospheric pressure.
`Rainfall`	`bool`	-	`True` if it is currently raining.
`WindDirection`	`int`	°	Compass bearing (0-359).
`WindSpeed`	`float`	m/s	Current wind speed.

🚩 Race Control (`session.race_control_messages`)

Official messages issued during the session.

Column	Type	Description
`Time`	`float`	Time since session start.
`Category`	`str`	Message type (`Flag`, `Drs`, `CarEvent`).
`Message`	`str`	Human-readable description.
`Flag`	`str`	Type of flag (`GREEN`, `YELLOW`, `RED`, etc.).
`Scope`	`str`	Impact area (`Track`, `Sector`, `Driver`).
`Sector`	`int`	The affected mini-sector (1-24).
`Driver`	`str`	The affected driver (if applicable).

Get Started

Guides

Concepts

Reference

Data Schema Reference

⏱️ Lap Data (`session.laps`)

Core Timing

Sectors & Speed Traps

Tires & Strategy

Status & Metadata

🎯 Telemetry Data (`lap.telemetry`)

Car Metrics

Spatial Data

Acceleration (G-Forces)

🌡️ Weather Data (`session.weather`)

🚩 Race Control (`session.race_control_messages`)

​⏱️ Lap Data (session.laps)

​Core Timing

​Sectors & Speed Traps

​Tires & Strategy

​Status & Metadata

​🎯 Telemetry Data (lap.telemetry)

​Car Metrics

​Spatial Data

​Acceleration (G-Forces)

​🌡️ Weather Data (session.weather)

​🚩 Race Control (session.race_control_messages)

⏱️ Lap Data (`session.laps`)

Core Timing

Sectors & Speed Traps

Tires & Strategy

Status & Metadata

🎯 Telemetry Data (`lap.telemetry`)

Car Metrics

Spatial Data

Acceleration (G-Forces)

🌡️ Weather Data (`session.weather`)

🚩 Race Control (`session.race_control_messages`)