Rake

Rake refers to the intentional angle between a race car's floor and the ground, created by having different ride heights at the front and rear of the vehicle. Most racing cars use "positive rake," where the front sits lower than the rear.

This setup parameter significantly affects aerodynamics and handling. More rake typically increases downforce by improving airflow under the car, especially enhancing the performance of the rear diffuser. It also influences weight distribution, with higher rake shifting weight forward to improve front-end grip and corner turn-in.

Different racing teams adopt varying rake philosophies. For example, in Formula 1, Red Bull has historically favored high-rake setups for maximum downforce, while Mercedes has often used lower rake approaches. Drivers and engineers adjust rake based on track characteristics and car design.