ENGINEGEEK / FORMULA 1 ENGINEERING
F1 engineering, made clear.
Explore how F1 cars turn airflow and electrical energy into speed. Start with a question below, then follow visual guides grounded in FIA and Formula 1 sources.
Original diagrams · Primary sources · Plain-English explanations
Start here: the basics
01 / Aerodynamics
How does an F1 car make grip from air?
Explore downforce, drag, the wings and the floor before diving into the 2026 rule changes.
Choose your next question
02 / Aerodynamics
Active aero is more than DRS
See how Straight Mode and Corner Mode change the wings, while Overtake Mode changes electrical deployment.
03 / Power units
What does the MGU-K actually do?
A visual guide to the motor-generator that deploys electrical power and recovers energy in a 2026 F1 car. Includes an original energy-flow diagram.
Explore by system
Power units
Energy and recovery
Start with the MGU-K, deployment, recharge and the trade-offs between corners.
Aerodynamics
Airflow and grip
Understand the moving wings and why reducing drag matters on a straight.
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How the F1 front wing creates downforce, manages tyre wake and balances the car, plus the 2026 active flap rules explained. - F1 Aerodynamics Explained: Downforce, Drag, Wings and the 2026 Floor
A practical guide to F1 aerodynamics: how wings, the floor and diffuser create grip, why drag matters, and what changed for 2026. - 350 kW vs 250 kW in F1 2026: MGU-K Zones and Super Clipping Explained
The FIA uses 350 and 250 kW for different 2026 F1 MGU-K limits. Compare race deployment zones with peak super-clipping recharge without confusing power and energy. - What Does 7 MJ of Recharge Mean in F1 Qualifying? Energy vs Power Explained
The FIA reduced qualifying recharge from 8 to 7 MJ while raising peak super-clipping power to 350 kW. Here is what those different units actually mean. - F1 Boost vs Overtake Mode in 2026: Power, Energy and the One-Second Rule
Boost, Overtake Mode and Straight Mode do different jobs in a 2026 F1 car. Compare the one-second rule, 0.5 MJ allowance and the FIA’s race Boost limit.
How we explain it
Each guide starts with a real technical question, checks the relevant FIA regulations and official F1 material, and makes its assumptions visible. The diagrams explain mechanisms; they do not claim to show team telemetry. EngineGeek is independent and is not affiliated with Formula 1, the FIA or any team. About this site →
Ready for a deeper question? Explore super clipping → See how the MGU-K can recover energy while the driver stays on the throttle.