Monkey Seat

A Monkey Seat is a small wing or winglet mounted below the main rear wing of a Formula 1 car, positioned just above the exhaust outlet, designed to improve airflow and increase aerodynamic efficiency.

The term "monkey seat" comes from the component's small size and unusual positioning, tucked underneath the larger rear wing structure. While it might look like a minor add-on, this tiny aerodynamic element plays an important role in how air flows around the back of the car. Think of it as a helper wing that makes the main rear wing work better, rather than doing all the heavy lifting itself.

The primary job of a monkey seat is to manage the hot, fast-moving air coming from the car's exhaust. When exhaust gases exit the engine, they're traveling at high speed and can disrupt the airflow around the rear of the car. The monkey seat catches this energized air and directs it in a way that helps both the rear wing above it and the diffuser underneath the car work more efficiently.

In technical regulations, the monkey seat is sometimes called a Y75-winglet or Y100-winglet, depending on how wide it is measured from the car's centerline. These official names come from the FIA rulebook that governs Formula 1, but almost everyone in the paddock uses the more colorful "monkey seat" nickname instead.

While the monkey seat does create a small amount of downforce on its own, its real value comes from how it improves other aerodynamic components. It acts as a bridge between the diffuser under the car and the rear wing above, helping create what engineers call an "upwash" effect. This upwash helps pull air out from underneath the car more efficiently, which is crucial for generating grip through corners.

The monkey seat became especially important after 2014 when Formula 1 regulations banned another component called the "beam wing" that previously served a similar purpose. Teams needed to find new ways to connect the aerodynamics of the diffuser and rear wing, and the monkey seat filled that gap perfectly.

Not every team uses a monkey seat at every race. Teams typically add this component when they're running a high-downforce setup, such as at tracks with lots of slow corners like Monaco or Hungary. The design can vary dramatically between different teams, with some featuring simple shapes while others include complex slots, multiple small winglets, or curved profiles to maximize their effect within the regulations.

The positioning of the monkey seat right above the exhaust is particularly clever because it takes advantage of the exhaust's energy. When a driver lifts off the throttle or turns into a corner, the monkey seat helps smooth out the aerodynamic changes that occur, making the car more stable and predictable for the driver.