© F1i
RENAULT CHANGES CONCEPT…
The last version of the front wing of the Renault dated to the Canadian Grand Prix. A new version was presented in Germany, quite different from the previous variations. Since several races now, the French team seeks to improve the performance of the RS18 in medium and fast turns and in particular the way it enters into this type of curves.
In general, the front wing of an F1 can be split longitudinally into two parts: an inner part (the closest to the nose, made up of different adjustable flaps) and an outer part (often curved and composed of square-shaped arches forming a sort of tunnel).
The outer section is usually narrower than the inner section. On the new wing of the RS18 (used only by Nico Hülkenberg), it is the opposite: the adjustable part is reduced to the correct portion and affects only a very small part of the flow. This is a good illustration of the fact that a front wing generates more downforce than it needs and that it has become a tool to orient and control the airflow and the vortices around the car.
The outer part has the same number of horizontal subdivisions (six), while the number of winglets at the end of the endplates goes from two to four (red arrows), thereby increasing the effect of outwash... which will be outlawed next year. Again we see that, despite this planned obsolescence, the teams still put all their strength into the aero battle.
