01 - ZOOM IN

Why we need to look closer

Module 3 explained why a wing can create downforce. Now we ask what makes one wing shape different from another.

The answer is the wing's cross-section: the airfoil. Small changes in this shape can create big changes in downforce, drag, strength and stall behaviour.

02 - ANATOMY

What is an airfoil?

If you sliced a wing from front to back and looked at the cut face, that profile is the airfoil. It has a front called the leading edge, a rear called the trailing edge, a chord line, and a camber line.

👆Click & drag to explore 3D model

Labeled airfoil anatomy — The airfoil is the shape that decides how air speeds up, slows down and separates around the wing.

03 - CHORD

Chord is the length of the profile

Chord is the straight-line distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A longer chord gives air more surface to act on, so it can usually create more downforce, but it also tends to bring more drag and weight.

Simple memory

Long chord = more wing to work with. Short chord = less drag potential, but also less load potential.

04 - CAMBER

Camber is how curved the airfoil is

Camber describes how much the centreline bends. More camber usually creates a bigger speed difference between the two sides of the wing, which can mean more downforce, but also more drag.

Low camber and high camber comparison — Camber is basically the wing's curvature dial.

05 - THICKNESS

Thickness is the strength-versus-drag compromise

A thin airfoil can be aerodynamically clean, but real wings must survive serious loads. A thicker airfoil is usually stronger, while also adding some drag and surface interaction.

Thin and thick airfoil comparison — Real race wings are never just razor blades; they must work aerodynamically and structurally.

06 - ANGLE OF ATTACK

The tilt that changes everything

Angle of attack is the wing's tilt relative to incoming air. Increase it a little and downforce usually rises. Push it too far and the flow can separate, causing stall: the wing stops working cleanly.

Angle of attack and stall comparison — More angle is useful only up to a limit. Past that, the airflow breaks away.

Too much angle → flow separates → downforce collapsesTHIS LIMIT IS CALLED STALL

07 - READ A WING

Airfoils are a design language

Once you know chord, camber, thickness and angle of attack, you can start reading wings like clues. A small shallow wing hints at speed. A big steep wing hints at cornering grip.

Wing setup built for speed versus built for corners — No single shape is best everywhere. The best wing depends on the track and the job.

01Speed setup

Small chord, low camber and shallow angle reduce drag.

02Corner setup

Long chord, high camber and steep angle create more load.

03Engineer thinking

The goal is the right compromise, not the biggest number.

GO DEEPER

Books worth opening

Race Car Aerodynamics - Joseph KatzAirfoil selection and race-car wing design parameters.

Understanding Aerodynamics - Doug McLeanAirfoil theory, real lift physics and stall behaviour.

NACA airfoil resourcesA natural next step for seeing standardised airfoil shapes.

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