Technical analysis: United States

EN_F1-technical-galery-usa-ferrari-winglet-diffuseur

FERRARI – REFINING THE DIFFUSER 

After introducing it at the Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari has redesigned the two-element winglet positioned just before the diffuser’s Gurney flaps.

The device is now much more interconnected with the two flaps that still sit on top of the diffuser but no longer follow its curvature on the outer ends. Given the winglet’s angle of orientation and positioning, it’s fair to assume that it creates a thin and highly energised layer of air that sucks upwards the turbulent airflow (usually abundant in the area), most notably the dirty wake coming off the rotating wheels.

Finally, while Ferrari did have a new power unit specification at COTA, the upgrade mainly aims to improve engine reliability and was not the 2016 beta-version we had expected.