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Aerodynamics

Why an F1 car could almost drive on the ceiling

Intermediate6 chapters8 min total

Aerodynamics is the single biggest performance differentiator in Formula 1. This course explains how a car turns moving air into grip, why every gain costs something in drag, and how the modern rules use airflow to make racing closer — including the active-aero system that replaced DRS.

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  1. 01

    Downforce

    How airflow is turned into grip that beats gravity.

  2. 02

    Drag — the Trade-off

    Why every bit of downforce has a price in top speed.

  3. 03

    Ground Effect & the Floor

    How the underside of the car makes grip with little drag.

  4. 04

    Active Aero & Overtaking

    Movable wings and the boost that replaced DRS.

  5. 05

    Dirty Air & Following

    Why it is so hard to chase another car closely.

  6. 06

    Cooling & the Unseen Aero

    Feeding air to the radiators and brakes without wrecking efficiency.