AlphaTauri leads F1 teams' updates for Silverstone

AlphaTauri has pulled out the stop in a bid to turn around its 2023 season, the Faenza squad leading the upgrade cycle at Silverstone where it rolled out a heavily revised AT04 machine.

Front-wing changes are the main theme for several teams this weekend, namely Alpine, Aston Martin, McLaren and Mercedes.

But AlphaTauri has modified no less than eight key components on its car.

Looking at the changes, the leading edge on the AT14's floor body has been raised to increase mass flow to the car's underfloor. This has led to camber distributions changes of the floor fences and to an extended floor edge wing that gives better sealing of the floor for increased local load.

Further, the diffuser's vertical sidewalls have been modified while the maximum width of the AT04's bodywork has been increased, all for the purpose of increasing local load.

At the rear of the AT04, a winglet has been added behind the rear top wishbone while a new rear wing geometry loads up the central section more, which help maintain local load for a reduced amount of drag on the straights.

Finally, a flap element has been removed on the rear beam wing which also reduces drag but helps improve overall efficiency of the rear wing assembly.

Mercedes has modified the front wing on its W14 black arrow, with a change in chord distribution of the wing's elements and a profile change to its endplate. The changes promote a cleaner flow to the car's bodywork and floor.

Aston Martin has fitted a circuit specific front wing to its AMR23 that features a new flap that has reduced chord and incidence, alleviating load to balance the car at lower downforce rear wing levels.

McLaren's MCL60 also features a completely revised front wing assembly for this weekend that integrates new elements that aim to improve flow control and increase aerodynamic load. In conjunction with the front wing, the MCL60's nosebox geometry has also been revised.

The car also features a modified rear brake duct geometry and rear toelink shroud to improve local load.

Alpine's front wing includes a revised main plane, flap and end plate, with the combination expected to give better low-speed management of the wake and reduce losses inboard of the front tyre.

Alfa Romeo has updated the floor body, floor fences and the diffuser on its C45, revisions that are part of a wider set of changes to the floor to improve aerodynamic flow and load during cornering. The car also features a redesigned rear brake duct and realigned rear suspension covers.

Finally, championship leader Red Bull has reduced the intake and exit areas for its front brake duct to adapt the latter to Silverstone's low braking energy levels.

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