Enzo Chua

The Need for Speed: The Engineering Behind an F1 Car

“And it’s lights out and away we go!” High-speed action with cars racing more than 200 miles per hour around 34 different countries–that is just a fraction of what the renowned sport of Formula 1 is about. F1 has been around since the 1950s, but with the recent introduction of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive,” more people have been drawn to the motorsport. F1 is not just solely for entertainment, but the success of F1 cars and teams is a vital component of their respective brand’s experimentation and marketing strategies. Just in a very expensive way. So what makes an F1 car this fast? What is the design and engineering behind its main parts and what do they do?

“In motorsports, humans are only half the athlete.” The driver is the number one priority, but the car he is driving is equally essential in winning the world championships. This is why F1 cars are built for aerodynamics—they are basically like airplanes that are upside down. Instead of having wings on the sides as planes do, F1 cars have them in the front. Hence, why it is called a “front wing.” The front wing is engineered to curve up at an angle to cause air to form a high-pressure area above and a low-pressure area below the car. This is what keeps the car on the ground and is the suction force called “downforce.” F1 cars are also known for being very low to the ground which allows narrow gaps of air below.

Moving on to one of the most important parts of an F1 car: the safety system. With drivers who constantly push the limits of their cars to the fullest, it is the responsibility of the teams, engineers, and the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) to make sure that they try their best to keep them safe. This is where the driver is located which means this area is where they must ensure the most safety and protection. Some of the safety systems include the seatbelt, headrest, break, monocoque, and the infamous halo. Many of these are found in normal cars except the latter two. The monocoque or the survival cell is what encapsulates the drivers themselves. It is made from carbon fiber which is a very light yet durable material. The halo, on the other hand, was introduced in 2018 with much criticism and controversy. However, what seemed like a “gimmick” at first, has undoubtedly saved countless drivers from debris or career-ending accidents. Such an example is the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix where the halo played an important part in saving Roman Grojan’s life after he spun and crashed into the barriers.

Now, behind the F1 car is where the upward-curved rear wing is located. These are what most people call “spoilers” in normal cars. This part is very important in an F1 car since a section of the rear wing can be tilted which causes the DRS (drag reduction system) to be activated. “DRS” is what we hear race commentators and engineers say as we see cars have a boost in speed along the straight parts of the track. This is all due to the less rear downforce being exerted by the car. This small window of boost allows the cars to overtake and gain position and pace, and sometimes it is these few seconds of DRS that push a driver to the front of the grid to win it all.

In layman's terms, F1 is a giant experiment on the limits and capabilities of cars. Just in a very expensive, yet entertaining way. With high-speed cars making it a risky sport, the magnificent and skillful engineering and design behind it are what keep this motorsport going. Engineers continue to use existing technology such as paddle shifters, anti-lock brakes, active suspensions, thermal efficiency, and sensors and push them to the extremes, making the process even better. In the end, what’s most important is that the results gathered from the “experiment” are what give inspiration for manufacturers to make better innovations and technology for all of us to use and enjoy.

PICTURES (that could be used)

Scuderia Ferari’s 2022 F1 Car (F1-75)