F1 Explains

Why are F1 wind tunnels top secret?


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Hidden inside F1 factories, engineers use blasts of high-speed air to shape race-winning cars. Wind tunnels are multi-million dollar, high-tech facilities where aerodynamicists experiment. 

What happens in the wind tunnel usually stays in the wind tunnel, but Formula Why is going into this secretive world with Alpine F1 Team's Technical Director, Matt Harman. He tells us why F1 teams use wind tunnels, why they're so secretive and the incredible way the sport's rule makers, the FIA, keep an eye on how much teams use them. 

Christian and Katie also break down the rules about wind tunnels and why teams spend millions to have their own tunnels. 

Got a question for us? We'll answer it! Write or record it, then send it to [email protected]

Check out other episodes of Formula Why. Scroll through the feed or use the links below:

  • Why do F1 drivers need race engineers? with Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu
  • Why are pit stops so important? 
  • Why do F1 teams need simulators? with Aston Martin's Stoffel Vandoorne
  • Why is racing in the rain so difficult? with Mika Hakkinen + Haas race engineer Mark Slade
  • Why are street circuits the ultimate test? with Mika Hakkinen + Bernie Collins
  • Tyres, points + car set-up - Your Questions Answered
  • Why do F1 drivers need to be so fit? with Alexander Rossi + Vettel's former trainer
  • Why does the USA have 3 F1 races in 2023?
  • Why is F1 Sprint such a challenge? with Kevin Magnussen
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