When you’re watching a race for the first time, it might seem like chicanes and corners are pretty much the same thing. But look a little closer and you’ll notice: not every corner is a chicane — but every chicane is, technically, a type of corner.
Confused? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between corners and chicanes in motorsport.
In racing terms, a corner is simply any part of the track where the layout deviates from a straight line — just like what you know from everyday driving.
Depending on the radius, angle, and speed, each corner has to be tackled in a unique way to maximize performance. Corners can be smooth and sweeping, like the iconic Parabolica in Monza, or tight and technical, like the hairpin in Monaco. What makes them so exciting? The racing line.
Drivers aim for the “ideal line” — the perfect path to get through the corner as fast and efficiently as possible. It’s all about hitting the turn-in point, clipping the apex just right, and powering out of the exit while maintaining momentum and preserving tires and brakes. High-speed corners like Copse at Silverstone demand full commitment, while slower corners offer strategic opportunities to set up overtakes on the following straight.
