7 - NO MORE MONKEY ON THE BACK
The "monkey seat" in F1 jargon is a small wing underneath the main rear wing of the car that uses a loophole in the bodywork regulations to generate a small amount of additional downforce.
Its role is to maximize the exhaust energy flow by directing it towards the rear wing (and towards the lower face of the main plane), in order to keep intact the flow which runs on the lower face.
The FIA doesn’t like the use of exhaust flows (remember blown exhausts), so it has decided to change the placement of the "monkey seat". It will no longer be on the extension of the exhaust pipe but will, if necessary, be positioned forward, making it far less effective. It hasn’t appeared on the cars presented to date (Haas and Williams) on which, to compensate, a small spoiler-like blade has been installed on the extension of the deformable structure at the back (see yellow arrow).
"We’ve lost the ‘monkey seat", regretfully says Williams Technical Director, Paddy Lowe. "You remember the era of the blown exhausts, between 2010 and 2012 - a very interesting time for engineers. Well, the blowing came back last year through the 'monkey seat', which has been banned to reduce this kind of effect. "
Renault was the only team last year not to use a "monkey seat". It should therefore benefit more from the ban than its rivals.
