Hidden Formula 1 Aerodynamics – Wheels, Brake Ducts, and Suspension by Guest Writer Felix

When people think of Formula 1 aerodynamics, they picture massive wings, sleek floors, and aggressive diffusers. But some of the most important aerodynamic work happens in places you might never look, around the wheels, inside the brake ducts, and even along the suspension arms. These components don’t just support or cool the car, they’re meticulously sculpted to shape airflow and reduce drag. This is the world of hidden aero, subtle, complex, and absolutely vital.

The Challenge of Open Wheels

Unlike most race cars, Formula 1 cars have exposed wheels, and that creates one of the biggest aerodynamic challenges in motorsport.

A spinning tire isn’t smooth like a wing, it’s chaotic. It throws air in every direction, generating turbulence that disrupts the clean airflow the rest of the car relies on. Engineers can’t cover the wheels, so they use clever tricks to manage this messy airflow instead.

• Wheel covers: Reintroduced in 2022, these help smooth airflow around the rotating tire and reduce the turbulence that spills onto the floor.

• Front wing endplates and deflectors: These guide airflow around the front tires, minimising the drag they create.

Managing wheel wake is one of the most delicate balancing acts in F1 aero, small gains here can unlock major performance benefits elsewhere.

Brake Ducts – Cooling Meets Formula 1 Aerodynamics

Brake ducts are often mistaken for simple cooling devices, but they’re far more than that. Yes, their primary purpose is to channel air onto the brake discs and calipers to keep temperatures in check. But because they sit directly in the airflow, their shape also influences the car’s aerodynamic performance.

Teams use brake ducts to:

• Control the vortex structures that form around the wheels.

• Direct airflow to reduce drag and energise flow to the diffuser.

• Fine-tune balance between front and rear downforce.

Every mm of a brake duct is designed with aerodynamic intent. That’s why the FIA strictly regulates their design, too much creativity, and teams could use them as miniature wings.

Suspension – More Than Mechanical

At first glance, suspension arms look purely structural, their job is to hold the wheels in place and manage loads. But in F1, even suspension is part of the aero system.

The wishbones and pushrods are shaped like aerofoils, helping guide airflow cleanly around the car. Their angles and thickness affect both downforce and drag, especially at the front of the car where airflow is most sensitive.

Some teams have even experimented with active suspension geometry in the past, adjusting ride height dynamically to optimise aero balance, though such systems are now banned. Still, the suspension remains one of the most cleverly integrated aero-mechanical components on an F1 car.

The Hidden Art of Air Management

What makes Formula 1 so fascinating is how no surface, no shape, and no part is wasted. Even components that exist for mechanical or cooling reasons are designed to cooperate with airflow. The goal is to make every molecule of air work, whether it’s cooling the brakes, stabilising the car, or feeding cleaner flow to the diffuser.

These are the invisible details that often separate the great designs from the good ones. The best engineers don’t just build fast cars; they build cars that breathe, flow, and dance with the air.

Felix, a motorsport enthusiast from India, has a deep passion for Formula 1 and the cutting-edge technology that drives it. Currently studying Electronics and Computer Science, he aims to merge his technical knowledge with his love for motorsport to build a career in this exciting and fast-evolving industry.

As a guest writer for the Upgrade Blog, Felix combines engineering insight with fan enthusiasm, offering a fresh perspective on racing innovation and performance. His articles dive into the technical heart of Formula 1, exploring the details that make modern race cars so extraordinary.

Upgrade Motorsport is proud to support and encourage the future of motorsport, working with students, aspiring engineers, and grassroots racers. By providing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and exposure, Upgrade Motorsport continues to nurture the next generation of motorsport talent.

Up next: Shaping the Flow: Sidepods, Cooling, and Mid-Car Aerodynamics — where Felix explores how teams balance cooling, drag, and design philosophy in one of Formula 1’s most hotly debated areas.