The ground effect paradox: low-downforce wings are reducing overtaking. In the 2025 Baku GP, overtaking was limited.

In the Baku GP, overtaking was scarce, a sign of a trend also linked to the evolution of ground effect cars. With most of the downforce generated by the floor, teams are running increasingly low-downforce wings: this means less drag, less wake effect, and a less effective DRS. As a result, train-like formations multiply and duels fade away.

One detail did not go unnoticed in last weekend’s Baku race, namely the reduced number of overtakes. The formation of long trains ended up determining the outcome of the Grand Prix and limited even those teams that, at least on paper, had a better pace but could not really show it on track.

Of course, looking back at the history of the Azerbaijan GP, there are no shortages of races lacking on-track action. Baku is in fact a venue with two faces: it can deliver spectacular moments or turn into a flat, uneventful race. Last week’s GP fits into a trend already seen in other races this season, and at least in part, this is linked to the development of ground effect cars.

It seems paradoxical, considering that the regulations introduced by F1 and the Federation in 2022 were designed to make it easier to follow another car, reducing the turbulence generated by the vehicles and thus facilitating overtaking attempts compared to the past.

Indeed, at least during the first year of this technical cycle, the regulations reduced the harmful effects of dirty air and achieved the goal set by the lawmakers, encouraging on-track battles. With the progressive development of these cars, however, some elements have emerged that have almost worsened the situation.
First of all, some regulatory openings, particularly regarding the outwash effect generated by the front wings, have contributed to increasing wake turbulence. Moreover, with the increase in aerodynamic downforce and cars today much faster than three years ago, the amount of downforce lost in the wake has become even more significant compared to running in clean air.

Linked precisely to this last aspect is a secondary effect, a trend that has become even more evident this season: the use of increasingly low-downforce rear wings. It is no secret that most of the total aerodynamic downforce of ground effect cars is generated by the floor rather than the wings, which is why the role of the latter has gradually become more marginal than in the past.