Rear Wing

The rear wing is the most visible — and most adjustable — aerodynamic component on an F1 car. Unlike the front wing, which must manage complex interactions with tyres and floor, the rear wing operates in cleaner air and converts that advantage into significant downforce.

Two Main Elements

A modern rear wing uses two main elements: a lower mainplane and an upper flap. The flap is the element that opens during DRS operation — its leading edge pivots up on a hydraulic actuator, creating a slot gap that allows high-pressure air to slip through and kill separation-induced drag.

The Beam Wing

Below the main rear wing sits a smaller "beam wing" at the car's waist height. Often overlooked, it manages the transition between floor diffuser and the main wing's aerodynamic system — critically important for making ground effect work efficiently.

Balance Management

Teams arrive at each circuit with several rear wing configurations: high-downforce (Monaco, Hungary), medium (most circuits), and low-drag (Monza). The gap between front and rear downforce levels determines the car's handling balance — a rear-biased setup is oversteer-prone; front-biased is understeer.

2026 Active Aero

DRS is eliminated for 2026 in favor of a fully active rear wing. The flap angle is controlled by the driver (and restricted by FIA rules during overtaking zones) for any position on track, not just designated zones.