Floor Edge Wing

A Floor Edge Wing is an aerodynamic component located along the outer edges of a race car's floor that helps create downforce and manages airflow underneath the vehicle.

In modern Formula 1 and other high-level motorsports, the floor edge wing acts like an invisible barrier that keeps air flowing properly under the car. Think of it as creating an "air curtain" that prevents outside air from disrupting the carefully controlled airflow beneath the vehicle.

The primary job of floor edge wings is to generate downforce, which is the aerodynamic force that pushes the car down onto the track. More downforce means better grip, allowing drivers to take corners faster and achieve quicker lap times. This downforce is created by accelerating air under the car, which creates a low-pressure area that essentially sucks the car toward the ground.

Floor edge wings also serve as vortex generators, creating spinning columns of air called vortices. These vortices help seal the low-pressure zone under the car and prevent air from the front tires' wake from entering the underfloor area. By pushing this disruptive airflow outward, the floor edge wing maintains the efficiency of the car's ground effect aerodynamics.

The design of floor edge wings is heavily regulated in Formula 1, with strict rules governing their size, shape, and placement. Teams work within these constraints to maximize aerodynamic performance, often creating curved or "gutter-like" shapes along the floor's outer edge to enhance the diffuser's effectiveness.

Modern race cars can generate a significant portion of their total downforce from the floor and its edge wings. However, this system is very sensitive to the car's ride height - even small changes in how high the car sits above the track can dramatically affect performance, making floor edge wing design a critical area of development for racing teams.