Rear Wing

A rear wing is an aerodynamic component mounted on the back of a race car that creates downforce by pushing air upward, which forces the car down onto the track for better grip and stability.

Think of a rear wing as an upside-down airplane wing. While airplane wings lift aircraft into the air, rear wings work in reverse - they push race cars down toward the track surface. This downward force, called downforce, helps the tires grip the road better, especially when going around corners at high speeds.

The rear wing works by making air flow faster underneath it than over the top. This creates lower air pressure below the wing and higher pressure above it. The pressure difference pushes the car downward, similar to how a vacuum works but using airflow instead.

Race teams can adjust the angle of the rear wing to control how much downforce it creates. A steeper angle makes more downforce but also creates more drag, which slows the car down on straight sections. A flatter angle reduces drag for higher top speeds but provides less grip in corners.

Different racing series use different types of rear wings. Formula 1 cars have complex multi-element wings with several sections working together to maximize downforce. These also include a Drag Reduction System (DRS) that opens a flap to reduce drag when overtaking. Sports cars and GT racing vehicles typically use simpler single-element wings that are easier to adjust and maintain.

The rear wing setup often changes based on the race track. Tracks with lots of tight corners need more downforce for better handling, while tracks with long straight sections benefit from less drag for higher speeds. Teams spend considerable time finding the right balance between downforce and drag for each specific circuit.

Without rear wings, modern race cars would be much harder to control at high speeds and would have significantly less grip when cornering, making racing both slower and more dangerous.