FERRARI’S UNDER-NOSE JOB
Since the Malaysian Grand Prix, Ferrari has been conducting thorough development work on the under-nose section of the SF16-H, which plays a vital role in the creation of the all-important Y250 vortex.
After modifying the turning vanes, tweaking the vertical fins on the splitter and adding a Mercedes-style bat wing in Sepang, the Scuderia had then altered the front wing pillars in Suzuka. In Mexico, the Maranello-based outfit came up with a new-look bat wing that drew inspiration from the McLaren design seen at the German Grand Prix last summer. It is worth remembering that the latter element already exuded a bit of a Red Bull flavour.
Instead of hanging from the nose, like on the Silver Arrow, the aero part sat on the splitter, at a much lower level. The purpose of the bat wing could vary depending on the setup: splitting the airflow on both sides of the splitter on the W07; creating lift and raising the splitter at high speed on the RB12 and MP4-31, which enables both Red Bull and McLaren to run more rake on their car.
With next year’s regulations mandating a 10cm shorter splitter (per article 3.16.5), teams should have a bigger incentive to increase rake. On the other hand, the nose will be 20cm longer (per article 15.4.3), which will affect how the air flows under the nose, including the Y250 vortex.
The Ferrari bat wing is at any rate more curved than its counterparts, so much that its edges are almost vertical. These generate small whirlwinds, which in turn guide the Y250 vortex.
