© F1i
FOR WHAT RESULT?
This lowering, started by the Scuderia on last year's SF70-H, makes it possible to clear more space under the sidepod air intake. However, the "undercut" performs an aerodynamically decisive mission.
Raising the opening leaves more room for air to flow down the sides with sufficient speed and energy. This energized flux is used to keep the air flow attached to the body surface and thereby generate less drag, while helping the diffuser to extract air from under the floor.
The evolution seems to have increased the rear-end downforce and shifted the centre of pressure rearwards: "I could feel straight away that the rear was more stable" said Valtteri Bottas in Austria. More loaded at the rear, the W09 has therefore been able to exploit Pirelli's softest compounds, whereas before it rather tended to overheat them.
