What is slipstream

However, there is a side effect on the straights; the wake now comes onto the following car in a teardrop shape. This may mean that the following car will not experience a reduction in drag and so the slipstream will no longer be as effective. However, it is inevitable that the car behind is still going to see some effect of the disrupted air by the leading car. This is reminiscent of the change in regulations which intended to significantly reduce aerodynamic performance, but some teams were able to recoup the proposed performance loss with double diffusers.

Only time will tell what these new regulations will bring to the next era of Formula One. Subscribe Newsletter. Your special offer X. Subscribe now. Slipstream works when a driver gets close to the rear of the car in front to benefit from drag reduction. This happens because F1 cars have substantial aerodynamic down-force, which creates low-pressure air behind them. This helps the driver behind to attain significant straight-line speed.

This tactic makes sense only for teammates, as they will have team orders in place not to pass each other. Between opponents, the one behind generally benefits, especially when he gets within 1 second of the driver in front. A lot of turbulent air is also produced, which can make it difficult for teammates to execute it with perfection, though.

English Language Learners Definition of slipstream. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? Love words? Need even more definitions? Just between us: it's complicated. Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'? How 'literally' can mean "figuratively". Literally How to use a word that literally drives some pe