Could an F1 car really drive upside down?

A modern Formula One car is capable of developing 3.5 g lateral cornering force (three and a half times its own weight) thanks to aerodynamic downforce. That means that, theoretically, at high speeds they could drive upside down.

Can F1 cars fly?

We often say that Formula 1 cars “fly,” but what if there was one that could quite literally take to the skies. The aerodynamic speed machine is vying to be the first (manned) flying hydrogen Formula 1 car and is capable of soaring to 153 mph—in theory, at least.

How fast can a Formula 1 car go from 0 to 100?

For Formula 1 cars, the top speeds are 360km/h or 223 mph. The 0-100km/h acceleration in 2.6 seconds, but the 0-300km/h in 10.6 seconds.

Could a Formula 1 car really drive upside down?

In fact, the statement is even boasted about on the official F1 website, where they say: “A modern Formula One car is capable of developing 3.5g – which is three and a half times its own weight – thanks to aerodynamic downforce. That means that, theoretically, at high speeds they could drive upside down.”

Could an F1 car drive on a ceiling?

That means that, theoretically, at high speeds they could drive upside down. The idea of an F1 car — of any car, for that matter — driving on a ceiling is quite sci-fi. Who remembers Agent Kay taking the MIB Ford LTD Crown Victoria for a short upside-down blast through the Queens-Midtown tunnel in Men In Black?

Does a modern F1 car create enough downforce?

There are lots of mathematical formulas out there and even a few research papers to confirm this and the consensus is yes, a modern F1 car would create enough downforce. Former Jordan F1 technical chief, Gary Anderson, told the BBC that:

Can you drive a car upside down?

So in theory the car could probably drive along upside down in the roof of a tunnel at about 120mph and it would support its own weight, which is how aerodynamics work in aeroplanes. Will The Engine Work? One key assumption from detractors of the theory is that the fuel and oil tanks would not be able to function if the car was upside down.