Floor

The floor is the underbody section of a race car that generates downforce by managing airflow beneath the vehicle, improving grip and cornering speed.

In Formula 1 and other motorsports, the floor isn't simply a flat bottom but a sophisticated aerodynamic component. It works by creating a pressure difference between the air above and below the car, essentially sucking the vehicle to the track. Modern floors feature complex channels, tunnels, and edges that control airflow patterns.

Engineers spend countless hours developing floor designs because even small improvements can yield significant performance gains. Racing regulations strictly control floor dimensions and features, as ground-effect aerodynamics (primarily generated by the floor) can dramatically affect a car's speed and handling characteristics.