Drag

George Russell driving the Mercedes W13 which produced a lot of drag

Drag is a term used in Formula 1 racing to describe the resistance that the car experiences as it moves through the air. This resistance is caused by the shape of the car and the way that it interacts with the air around it. The more drag that a car experiences, the more energy it has to expend in order to maintain a given speed. This can have a significant impact on the performance of the car, as well as the fuel consumption and tire wear.

There are several factors that contribute to drag in Formula 1 racing. One of the most important is the shape of the car. Cars in Formula 1 are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, with sleek, smooth lines and carefully engineered shapes that minimize the amount of air that is disrupted as the car moves through it. This reduces the amount of drag that the car experiences, allowing it to maintain higher speeds with less effort.

Another important factor that contributes to drag in Formula 1 racing is the size and shape of the tires. The tires are the only part of the car that makes direct contact with the ground, and they play a crucial role in determining the amount of drag that the car experiences. Tires that are wider and have a more rounded shape are typically less draggy than tires that are narrower and more pointed.

Finally, the angle of the car relative to the ground also plays a role in determining the amount of drag that it experiences. Cars that are tilted forward at a more aggressive angle will experience less drag than cars that are more upright. This is because the angle of the car affects the way that the air flows around it, with a more aggressive angle allowing the air to flow more smoothly around the car.

Overall, drag is a critical aspect of Formula 1 racing, and teams must carefully balance the trade-offs between speed and drag in order to optimise their car's performance. By minimising drag, teams can improve their car's speed and efficiency, which can give them an advantage over their competitors.