Delta time is the magical number on a driver’s dashboard that shows how much faster or slower they are compared to a set reference — either their best time, a session target, or a mandated safety limit. When you hear teams say “keep the delta positive,” they mean “don’t go faster than we’re allowed right now.” In safety car conditions or yellow flag zones, exceeding the delta means a time penalty. It’s also the metric behind that dramatic flashing green or purple on your TV screen.
