F1MATHS: How did the top four teams perform during the four-season groud-effect era?

F1 Grand Prix, GP Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit

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F1’s Ground‑Effect Era (2022–2025): A Comprehensive Analysis of Team Performance
Formula One entered a transformative period in 2022 when the sport reintroduced ground‑effect aerodynamics. This regulatory overhaul represented the most significant shift since the hybrid power units were introduced in 2014. The intention behind the new rules was to reduce the disruptive turbulence created by the cars, promote closer racing, and shift aerodynamic emphasis from complex upper‑body structures to the underfloor. Over the four seasons that followed, teams interpreted and adapted to the regulations in very different ways. Some organisations mastered the new era almost immediately, while others struggled with conceptual missteps or development stagnation. The performance data from 2022 to 2025 — including victories, pole positions, points, and championships — reveals a clear hierarchy among the leading teams.

Red Bull Racing established itself as the dominant team of the ground‑effect era. The team achieved 55 Grand Prix victories, 46 pole positions, and accumulated 2659 points across the four seasons. These numbers reflect a level of superiority that no other team could match during this period.

Red Bull’s success can be attributed to several key factors. Adrian Newey’s deep understanding of ground‑effect aerodynamics provided the team with a conceptual advantage from the very beginning. His experience with underfloor aero, dating back to earlier eras of motorsport, allowed Red Bull to design a car that maximised the potential of the new regulations. The RB18 and its successors featured highly efficient floor tunnels, stable aerodynamic platforms, and a sculpted bodywork philosophy that many rivals eventually attempted to emulate.

The team also benefited from a stable and highly effective driver pairing, led by Max Verstappen. His driving style, which relies on confidence in rear stability and precise control at high speed, aligned perfectly with the characteristics of Red Bull’s cars. Verstappen’s consistency ensured that the team extracted the maximum possible performance from every upgrade package.

Red Bull’s development efficiency further strengthened its position. Even with aerodynamic testing restrictions, the team consistently introduced upgrades that delivered immediate performance gains. Their operational execution — including pit stops, strategy decisions, and race‑day management — remained among the best in the sport.

As a result, Red Bull secured five championships during the ground‑effect era, combining both drivers’ and constructors’ titles. Their dominance defined the competitive landscape from 2022 to 2025.

McLaren’s journey through the ground‑effect era is one of the most remarkable stories of recent Formula One history. The team collected 20 race victories, 21 pole positions, and 1960 points, marking a dramatic rise from its early‑era struggles.

The turning point came in the middle of the 2023 season, when McLaren introduced a comprehensive aerodynamic overhaul. This upgrade package included a redesigned floor, revised sidepod architecture, and a more efficient rear‑end concept. The transformation was immediate. From that moment onward, McLaren consistently challenged for podiums and victories.

Several strengths supported McLaren’s resurgence. The team demonstrated excellent tyre management, particularly on circuits with high degradation. Their driver lineup proved capable of delivering strong results under a variety of conditions. McLaren also excelled in rapid development cycles, often introducing upgrades earlier than their competitors.

Despite their impressive pace, McLaren occasionally lacked the consistency and operational precision required to challenge Red Bull for championships. Early‑season weaknesses and occasional strategic errors prevented them from mounting a sustained title fight. Nevertheless, the team secured three championships during the era, highlighting its rise to the top tier of Formula One.

Ferrari’s performance during the ground‑effect era presents a fascinating contrast. The team achieved 24 pole positions, the second‑highest total of the period, yet managed only 10 race victories and did not secure a single championship.

Ferrari frequently produced cars with exceptional one‑lap performance. Their ability to generate peak downforce and quickly bring tyres into the optimal temperature window made them formidable in qualifying sessions. However, this strength did not consistently translate into race‑day success.

Several recurring issues hindered Ferrari’s progress. The team struggled with tyre degradation, particularly on circuits that demanded careful energy management. Strategic misjudgments continued to affect race outcomes, and the team’s development pace often lagged behind that of Red Bull and McLaren. Ferrari’s cars tended to be highly sensitive to conditions, performing brilliantly in ideal scenarios but losing competitiveness over long stints or in changing weather.

As a result, Ferrari remained competitive but ultimately unable to challenge for championships during the ground‑effect era.

Mercedes entered the ground‑effect era as the dominant force of the hybrid era, but the new regulations exposed weaknesses in their design philosophy. The team achieved 7 victories, 8 pole positions, and 1861 points, remaining competitive but never returning to its former level of supremacy.

The most significant factor in Mercedes’ struggles was the “zero‑pod” concept introduced with the W13. This radical design aimed to maximise airflow efficiency but instead created aerodynamic instability and severe porpoising issues. The team spent much of 2022 and 2023 attempting to resolve these problems, only to abandon the concept entirely in favour of a more conventional design.

Despite these challenges, Mercedes maintained several strengths. Their power unit remained one of the most reliable and efficient on the grid. The team’s operational execution, including strategy and pit work, continued to be strong. However, the fundamental aerodynamic limitations of their early designs placed them at a disadvantage that proved difficult to overcome.

Mercedes spent much of the era attempting to catch up to Red Bull and McLaren, and although they made progress, they never fully closed the gap.