Aerodynamics

23 changes, oldest first.

1968 introduced

Wings appear

Ferrari and Brabham introduced rear wings at the Belgian Grand Prix; Lotus followed with wings mounted directly on the suspension uprights. Source

1969 banned

High suspension-mounted wings banned

After both Lotus wings collapsed at the Spanish Grand Prix, the CSI banned wings from the Monaco Grand Prix practice, then allowed only wings fixed to the sprung bodywork, limited in height and width. Source

1974 changed

Rear wing overhang limited to 1 m behind the rear axle

Rear wings were pulled forward, and airbox height was limited. Source

1976 banned

Tall airboxes banned from the Spanish Grand Prix

Overall height was limited to 90 cm above the ground, ending the tall engine air intakes; rear wing overhang cut to 80 cm. Source

1977 introduced

Ground effect

The Lotus 78 used shaped sidepod undersides and sliding skirts to generate downforce from the floor. Source

1978 banned

Brabham 'fan car' withdrawn after one race

The BT46B won the Swedish Grand Prix with a rear fan extracting air from under the car; Brabham withdrew it under pressure and movable aerodynamic devices were ruled out. Source

1981 banned

Sliding skirts banned; 6 cm minimum ground clearance

To curb ground effect, skirts touching the track were banned and cars had to clear the ground by 6 cm at rest. Teams answered with hydraulic suspension that lowered the car on track. Source

1982 changed

Ground clearance rule dropped, fixed skirts allowed

The unenforceable 6 cm rule went, fixed skirts returned, and minimum weight rose to 580 kg. The 'water-cooled brakes' ballast dispute led to disqualifications and the drivers' strike. Source

1983 banned

Flat-bottom rule: ground effect banned

The underside between the wheels had to be flat, ending shaped ground-effect floors and skirts. Rear wings were moved forward and six-wheeled cars were banned. Source

1994 introduced

Wooden plank under the car after Imola

After the deaths of Ratzenberger and Senna, a 10 mm skid block was fitted under every car from the German Grand Prix, along with cuts to diffusers, front-wing endplates and airbox intakes; pump fuel became mandatory. Source

2001 changed

Front wing raised, rear wing elements limited

The front wing was raised 50 mm and the rear wing limited to three elements to cut downforce. Source

2005 changed

Front wing raised, rear wing moved forward, diffuser reduced

Aerodynamic cuts aimed at reducing downforce by about a quarter. Source

2009 introduced

Double diffuser ruled legal

Brawn, Toyota and Williams exploited a gap in the diffuser rules; the design was ruled legal in April 2009 and banned for 2011. Source

2009 changed

Wide front wing, tall narrow rear wing, slick tyres return, KERS introduced

The biggest aerodynamic overhaul in decades, aimed at closer racing, plus an optional kinetic energy recovery system and an 18,000 rpm limit with eight engines per season. Source

2011 introduced

Drag reduction system (DRS)

A driver-operated flap in the rear wing, usable within one second of the car ahead in set zones, was introduced to help overtaking. Source

2011 banned

Double diffusers and F-ducts banned

The rear diffuser was restricted and driver-operated aerodynamic switching (the F-duct) outlawed; KERS returned. Source

2012 banned

Exhaust-blown diffusers restricted

Exhaust exits were fixed to positions that could not blow the diffuser; nose height was lowered, producing the stepped noses. Source

2013 changed

DRS restricted to the race zones in practice and qualifying

Free use of DRS outside the designated zones ended. Source

2017 changed

Wider cars, wider tyres, more downforce

Cars widened to 2.0 m with wider tyres and larger wings, making them several seconds a lap faster. Source

2019 changed

Simplified front wings and bargeboards

Wider, simpler front wings and lower bargeboards to reduce turbulence for following cars; race fuel raised to 110 kg. Source

2021 changed

Floor and diffuser cut to reduce downforce

A diagonal cut to the rear floor and shorter diffuser strakes trimmed downforce for tyre safety; minimum weight 752 kg. Source

2022 introduced

Ground-effect cars return

New technical regulations with underfloor tunnels, simplified wings and 18-inch wheels, designed for closer racing. Source

2026 introduced

Active aerodynamics replace DRS

Movable front and rear wings switch between a low-drag straight-line mode and a cornering mode; a manual override energy boost replaces DRS for overtaking. Source