… AND A REVISED FRONT WING
Sauber also introduced a revised front wing at Marina Bay Circuit, which derives from the design first seen at the Chinese Grand Prix. Since April, the update had been thoroughly tested, yet never actually raced. All the elements are new, including the area where the all-important Y250 vortex is created (see red and yellow arrows). While the Shanghai spec featured two distinct upper flaps, the Singapore version only has a single one that splits into a couple of aero elements.
The Y250 vortex is generated where the flaps meet the mandated 500mm neutral section. On each side of the front wing, these upper aero parts sit 250mm away from the car’s centreline, hence the name.
In this crucial area of the front end, the high-pressure air rolls up to the low-pressure region and creates a whirlwind, just like the sort of whirlpool you can see in a sink. Aerodynamicists have actually created this vortex in order to channel the airflow as they see fit around the car, using several aero elements (bargeboards, etc.) in the process.
