Aerodynamics

How a 65mm slot in the rear wing adds 10-14 km/h of top speed — and why F1 is replacing it with something far more sophisticated in 2026.

How sculpted tunnels under the car use the Venturi principle to generate more downforce than wings — while leaving a cleaner wake that makes overtaking possible.

How 2026's moveable front and rear wings replace DRS with something fundamentally different — driver-controlled aerodynamic balance throughout every lap, not just on designated straights.

The first aerodynamic contact point. Manages airflow over, under, and around the front of the car while generating downforce and directing air to critical downstream components.

The primary downforce generator at the rear. Works with the DRS system to balance straight-line speed against cornering grip, and anchors the balance between front and rear aerodynamic load.

Ground effect's engine. The sculpted underbody channels air through Venturi tunnels, generating 40-60% of total car downforce from a region drivers and spectators rarely see.

A hydraulically actuated slot in the rear wing upper flap that, when opened in designated zones, reduces drag by roughly 20% and adds 10-14 km/h of top speed. Eliminated in 2026.