Aero Push

Aero push is a racing phenomenon where a car following closely behind another car loses grip in the front tires, making it harder to steer and more likely to slide wide in corners.

This happens because the car in front creates turbulent, messy air behind it as it cuts through the atmosphere at high speeds. When the following car drives through this disturbed air, its front aerodynamic parts can't work properly to push the car down onto the track.

Think of it like trying to walk behind someone carrying a large umbrella in strong wind - you get hit by all the swirling air they create. Race cars need smooth, clean airflow over their wings and body panels to generate downforce, which is the invisible force that helps keep them glued to the track.

When aero push occurs, drivers often say their car is "pushing" or has "tight" handling. The front end won't turn as sharply as normal, forcing the driver to either slow down significantly or watch helplessly as their car drifts toward the outside wall or edge of the track.

This aerodynamic effect is most noticeable in racing series like Formula 1, IndyCar, and NASCAR, where cars rely heavily on aerodynamics for speed and handling. It's one of the main reasons why overtaking can be so difficult in modern motorsport, especially on road courses with many corners.

Drivers experiencing aero push must often "back off" and create more distance from the car ahead to find clean air. Some will weave left and right behind the leader, trying to find pockets of undisturbed airflow. Race engineers also design cars with front wings and other aerodynamic elements that work better in turbulent air, though this remains an ongoing challenge in motorsport.