What is "sandbagging" in Formula 1: the strategy by which teams hide their true performance before the start of the season

Sandbagging is a commonly encountered term in the early weeks of the Formula 1 season, especially during testing sessions. It refers to the practice where a driver or a team intentionally underestimates the performance of the car, making it operate below its maximum potential. This strategy can be used to mislead rivals by providing inaccurate data during tests, before revealing its true capability in the first race of the season.

Teams can apply sandbagging through various methods, such as loading the car with more fuel than necessary, using hard tires, which are the slowest, or instructing the driver to slow down at certain points on the circuit. Although it is not an illegal practice, sandbagging is used by most teams throughout the season. Usually, the true performance of the car is revealed only in the qualifying sessions for the Australian Grand Prix, where teams showcase their maximum potential.