Feature

A reminder: the main changes to the technical regs for 2018

1 - Cut off the shark fins!

Last year, the aero engineers installed a dorsal fin on the engine cover, similar to an element used from 2008 - 2010, to minimize the turbulence created from the meeting of the air flows circulating on either side of the engine airbox. This "shark-fin wing" creates an air flow on each side, then "straightens" the two flows to produce a more laminar flow at the end of the fin. The cleaner and higher quality airflow resulted in increased downforce from the rear wing.

©Williams and Haas

The new article 3.5.1 of the technical rules doesn’t prohibit this shark fin, but significantly reduces surface area. The element must now be sloped downward. Its crest must follow an oblique line and no longer a horizontal one. Its disappearance, decided only in November has forced the teams to redesign their rear wing.

Rumour has it that McLaren blocked the retaining of the 'shark-fin' less for commercial reasons (to improve the visibility of the rear wing…even though the lost surface provided an ideal sponsorship space) and more so because it wanted to hinder Red Bull, which was preparing a very special rear wing, according to informed sources.

Practically, as the 2018 designs to date indicate, this year's fins are expected to resemble the design Sauber began testing at last year’s US Grand Prix. The Swiss team also ran with a 2018 configuration at the Abu Dhabi tests with a reduced fin, no 'T-wing' on the engine cover (see next page) and a profiled Halo.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

3 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

4 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

6 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

7 hours ago

Cheers to the forever young pure racer Jacques Laffite

The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…

8 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Wednesday's build-up in pictures

The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…

9 hours ago