oversteer

[oh-ver-steer, oh-ver-steer]

noun

1. handling of an automotive vehicle that causes turns that are sharper than the driver intends because the rear wheels slide to the outside of the turn before the front wheels lose traction.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an automotive vehicle) to undergo or handle with an oversteer, especially excessively.

oversteer

/ ˌəʊvəˈstɪə /

verb

1. (of a vehicle) to turn more sharply, for a particular turn of the steering wheel, than is desirable or anticipated

noun

1. the tendency of a vehicle to oversteer

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversteer¹

First recorded in 1935–40; over- + steer ¹

Example Sentences

In Leclerc's case, he was taken off track by a snap of oversteer as he was racing side by side with Lewis Hamilton on the exit of Turn One.

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Verstappen, who has closed to within 40 points of Piastri after three wins and a second place in the past four races, was visibly struggling in the Red Bull - almost every lap he seemed to have an oversteer snap in the middle of the Esses, the quick series of left-rights in the middle of the lap.

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Haas driver Oliver Bearman was crash number four, trying to take too much speed through Turn Two at the start of the second session and collecting the wall with his right rear wheel after an oversteer moment.

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Hamilton was first to retire from the race, crashing into the wall from seventh position following a moment of oversteer at Turn Three when light rain was falling on the track.

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A snap of oversteer sent him even higher than the normal high line there, and he could not avoid the end of the barrier on the exit of the corner.

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