Back to Blog
C

Carlos V.

Published on Oct 15, 2023

Understanding Ground Effect in the New Era
Aerodynamics
Regulations

The 2022 regulations brought back ground effect aerodynamics, fundamentally changing how Formula 1 cars generate downforce. Instead of relying on complex wings and bargeboards on top of the car, the new philosophy centers on the car's floor. This article dives into the Venturi tunnels and how teams are exploiting them for performance. Unlike the old flat floors, the new cars feature large, sculpted tunnels on either side of the chassis. As air flows through these tunnels, it accelerates, creating a powerful low-pressure area underneath the car that effectively sucks it to the track. The main challenge is controlling the ride height to keep this airflow stable. If the car runs too low or hits a bump, the airflow can stall, leading to a sudden and dramatic loss of downforce—a phenomenon known as 'porpoising'. Teams are constantly working on complex suspension systems and subtle floor edge designs to manage this and maintain a consistent aerodynamic platform, which is the key to unlocking the full potential of these ground effect machines.