F1 EXPLAINS: Downforce and why F1 cars have wings – with McLaren Aero Specialist Emel Cankaya

F1 cars race around corners at more than 190 miles per hour. Those insane speeds are made possible by downforce – the invisible power which keeps the cars on-track.

In the latest episode of F1 Explains, Emel Cankaya – an Aerodynamics Specialist at McLaren – tells presenters Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill what downforce is, how F1 cars create it and what the front wing, rear wing and floor of the car do.

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“Downforce is a vertical aerodynamic force that pushes down on the car, to generate more grip and go faster through corners,” she says.

“Wings are devices that generate a lot of downforce. They are inspired by airplane wings... turned upside down, to generate downforce instead of lift, pushing the car into the ground.”

Emel also explains why and how teams change their downforce set-ups to suit each racetrack on the Formula 1 calendar: “If a car spends a lot of time on straights, like in Monza, you need low drag.

“Drag slows you down, so you want a small rear wing. But in Monaco, where you have a lot of low-speed corners, to go as fast through the corners, you would want a large rear wing.”

To listen to the full episode, hit go on the audio player above – or click here to listen on your preferred podcasting platform.

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The weekly F1 Explains podcast answers your questions about how the sport works. Listener Brigit in New York asked the podcast to explain downforce. If you'd like your question answered, send it to F1Explains@F1.com.

F1 Explains is live on-stage at the United States Grand Prix, where Katie and Christian will be on the Amphitheatre Stage at the Circuit of The Americas on Saturday October 19 at 6.15pm, alongside special guests Ollie Bearman, Ferrari Academy Driver and 2025 Haas F1 driver, and Mika Hakkinen, two-time Formula 1 world champion. Anyone with a weekend or Saturday US Grand Prix ticket can watch the show with no need for reservations.

Then, on Sunday October 27, join the podcast team and other F1 fans for simulator racing plus food and drink at the newly-opened F1 Arcade Washington D.C. Katie and Christian will be hosting a Watch Party for the Mexico City Grand Prix, and you can buy tickets here.