© F1i
OPTIMIZED DIFFUSION
About half of the total downforce of a Formula 1 car is produced by the floor and the diffuser.
In schematic form, the whole thing works like a Venturi tube. As in a Venturi tube, the floor channels the airflow into a narrowing section so that its velocity increases through the narrow “throat”. This creates the low pressure that generates the downforce.
Then, the diffuser will slow the flow back down to ambient again (by increasing the cross-sectional area) in a controlled and gradual way (without causing flow separation).
In Barcelona, the Scuderia redesigned its diffuser in many points: the central part (under the crash structure) is more indented (yellow arrows); the end of the first flap is less square (blue arrows); one of the strakes is further cut at its base (orange arrows); the number of vortex generators goes from five to seven (see the white arrows and the bottom image).
One can note the endplate slats have also been slightly modified (violet arrow).
