Downforce, drag and DRS — how an F1 car uses the air to stick to the road.
F1 cars generate downforce — aerodynamic load that pushes the car into the track — mostly through the front and rear wings, the floor and the diffuser. Since 2022 the cars rely heavily on ground effect, where the shaped floor accelerates air underneath the car to create suction.
The Drag Reduction System opens a slot in the rear wing to cut drag and boost straight-line speed. A driver may use it in designated DRS zones when they are within one second of the car ahead.
More downforce means more grip through corners but more drag on straights. Teams balance the two to suit each circuit, running higher-downforce setups on twisty tracks and lower-drag setups on high-speed ones.
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