---
title: "Formula 1 Aero Rakes Explained"
description: "Aero rakes allow Formula 1 engineers to compare virtual airflow models against real-life track performance."
date: "2018-03-08"
modified: "2018-03-08"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19096/formula-1-aero-rakes-explained"
categories:
  - "F1"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Aerodynamics"
  - "Formula 1"
  - "racing"
  - "Technical details"
---

# Formula 1 Aero Rakes Explained

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/03/1488277131208.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Pre-season testing, or as the Formula 1 fraternity calls it, [winter testing](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18890/ill-timed-snow-brings-third-day-of-formula-1-testing-to-a-halt>), provides teams with valuable track time to test the various components that were invented or redesigned during the off-season. Aero rakes are measuring devices that help engineers test the efficiency of said components as a car moves down the track.

The devices may look like silly bits of scaffolding attached to the body of a [Formula 1](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19055/formula-1-drivers-test-new-standing-restart-system-in-spain>) car, but they're extremely useful and advanced despite the somewhat archaic design.

As this [video](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8j1k_TgnsA>) explains, aero rakes are lightweight structures that hold "Kiel probe" sensors that measure airflow as it moves around or through the bodywork of an F1 car. Engineers can make the necessary setup changes for specific race tracks based on information derived from the aero rakes, however, [designers](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18735/heres-how-the-2018-formula-1-liveries-shouldve-looked>) can utilize the same data to redesign or fine-tune body parts for better aerodynamic efficiency.

https://youtube.com/embed/K8j1k_TgnsA

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)