Why are aerodynamics so critical in F1?
As the car goes faster and faster, the pressure of the wind, and how the team’s car uses it becomes critical to how fast it can get around the corners. The car operates like an upside down aircraft wing, and is effectively sucked down on to the track by the downforce (negative lift) the wind generates. The better the aerodynamics, the more chances the team will win. It does have consequences. The dependence of aerodynamic grip has been criticised for the lack of overtaking in F1 and every year the regulations change to reduce aerodynamic grip and encourage overtaking. For 2005, the regulations have cut down downforce by as much as 25 per cent over 2004. Who has won the maximum world championships? Michael Schumacher is now the winningest driver in Formula One history. The man has now won seven world titles, five with his current team, Ferrari. The German is pushing in his mid-thirties and shows no sign of cracking under the phenomenal stress. He is feared on track by rivals and is an a
