by Gabrielle DeSantis

Driving a Formula 1 car is like playing chess at 200 MPH. Drivers experience serious G-forces throughout a lap. Changes are made to the way the car behaves over the course of a lap by the driver, all while fighting wheel-to-wheel with the best drivers on the planet. What’s more, the sport is constantly changing. As the sport has evolved, so too have drivers and their methods.

What is left foot braking?

One of the techniques employed by modern Formula 1 drivers is left foot braking. However, F1 drivers aren’t the only ones to use this technique. It’s commonplace for rally drivers, NASCAR drivers, and even enthusiasts. The principle behind the technique is simple. First, it’s about eliminating the delay in braking. Meaning, there’s less time between you hopping off the gas and onto the brakes, and vice versa when leaving a corner.

The physical act of the technique is simple, too. As seen above, left foot braking involves using one’s left foot to hit the brakes instead of the right. When approaching a corner, the driver releases the gas with their right, while applying pressure to the brakes with their left. However, this technique generally assumes the lack of a third pedal.

Formula 1 drivers didn’t always use this

The lack of a third pedal is why the technique became commonplace in Formula 1 today. Just look at how narrow the footwell of an F1 car is. Note the clutch on the left. That’s probably pretty hard to hit, right? Because of this, teams have realized it’s more efficient to use a clutch on the steering wheel instead. This frees up the left foot to do the braking instead of operating a clutch.

Mind you, drivers still used their left foot to stop way back when. It was only when approaching a corner that would not need a gear change that this applied. Once again, it’s about limiting the time the car is coasting before being either stopping or going. And that’s exactly what racing is about. If your car isn’t stopping or going, you’re losing time, and therefore the race.

There are benefits for normal drivers too

Thankfully, there’s some benefits to be had for the everyman or woman here. However, unlike racing, there’s a safety benefit for the average Joe or Jane. Like racing, it’s about eliminating that delay. Say you spin out on a patch of ice and need to stop. Every second lost not hitting the brakes brings you ever closer to needing a new set of wheels.

Personally, it provides a comfort benefit in cars with narrower pedal boxes. You won’t have to move your feet around as much in stop-and-go traffic if you’re versed in the dark art of left foot braking. Like many things, it’s all about preference. Be sure to try it out in an empty parking lot before going out onto the road.

RELATED: F1 101: What Do You Need to Know About Formula 1?

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

Red Bull’s Formula 1 team has been the only real challenge to Mercedes’ dominance over the last seven seasons. Now, the team has finally overtaken them both on the track and in the lab. The Milton-Keynes-based team is now on a four-race winning streak. It’s something most F1 fans would have thought impossible just a few years ago. Now, the team has made some massive technical improvements to catch Brackley-based Mercedes.

Red Bull’s shark tooth diffuser

Formula 1 cars nowadays are all about downforce. The force of the air rushing over the various canards, splitters, diffusers, and wings is what allows the cars to take corners at such insane speeds. Evidently, most teams know this and go to great lengths to make their aerodynamics package as effective and competitive as they can. However, Red Bull seem to be the ones getting a leg up with the aero package for 2021.

The Formula 1 media has coined it the “shark tooth” wing, after its appearance. At its core the wing functions off the rake of the car, or how much angle there is between the front and rear ride height. Red Bull run a car with a great degree of rake, as seen below. This rake allows the rear diffuser to suck the car into the ground. These shark teeth on the back of the wing help feed air over the top of the diffuser, compensating for the lack of downforce lost in a high-rake setup.

Totally new Aero helps Max stay ahead

While this may seem like a marginal gain, it’s a massive one for the Formula 1 team. In Formula 1, every millisecond must be accounted for. Any gain, marginal or major, is a gain. This is why Red Bull is so viciously pursuing their aero package. For example, the high rake of their car helps move more air over the downforce-creating parts of the car. It is also in stark contrast to the Mercedes car.

That’s because the Merc is used to being at the front of the pack. Running out front means the car needs to be more slippery and cut through the air in the pursuit of higher speeds. Because of their aerodynamics, Red Bull is now able to get the best of both worlds: a slippery car for the straights that still provides enough downforce to help the drivers get around the corners quickly.

Can the Brackley Boys fight back?

Frankly, Mercedes is in a tough spot. They’re stuck with a car built to dominate the front row, yet both their drivers have fought hard to stay out in front to no avail. So, what can the Brackley Boys do? Of course, they can always completely alter their aero, like Red Bull. But, with a massive 2022 regulation change coming up, is it worth it? Upfront, no. One season does not a dynasty make, and it seems the team is more focused on coming out on top for 2022 than developing the current car. For now, Max Verstappen and Red Bull are going to stay on top.

RELATED: F1 101: What Do You Need to Know About Formula 1?

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