A tow in Formula 1 is when a driver benefits from following another car closely on a straight, gaining extra speed from the slipstream effect. In qualifying at circuits with long straights — such as Monza — drivers from the same team sometimes deliberately coordinate so one car leads the other through certain sections, giving the trailing car a speed boost on their fast lap. The tow can be worth several tenths of a second. Teams sometimes argue about which driver gets the tow, as it can determine who takes pole.
Example: The two Mercedes are working together through the tow phase — whoever gets the slipstream on the main straight will have the advantage on their flying lap.
See Also: