F1 teams’ development programmes have yet to kick in in earnest but this weekend’s Australian GP still sees half the field implement updates on their contenders.
New parts have been introduced by six teams in Melbourne while Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Haas are fielding unchanged designs.
Optimizing a machine’s aero configuration for Albert Park is often centered around a car’s rear wing, so it’s unsurprising that several teams have specifically targeted this area with track specific updates.
Case in point, Ferrari has added winglets to its rear wing pylon, and while the change isn’t specific to Albert Park aero requirements, the modification offers a small increase of local aerodynamic load.
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Aston Martin has slightly modified the front wing on its AMR24 which displays a revised twist that changes the loading distribution across the span of the front wing for improved car performance.
Over at Alpine, the team has modified the beam wing component on its A524 by removing its upper element, a change that allows for further drag reduction but also produces less downforce.
Williams has worked on the rear corner of its FW46 by changing the size of the exit scoop of the rear brake and tweaked accordingly the length, position and camber of the winglet cluster that sits below the exit.
The revised scoop/winglet system offers a small increase in local load and has also has a small effect to the local flow field. The additional load is efficient relative to any drag change and the net result is a higher vertical load on the rear tyres.
RB has also modified the profile of its rear wing for Melbourne with the aim of improving the element’s corner profiles, to achieve better efficient load generation and target drag.
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Finally, Sauber’s C44 is sporting an updated front wing this weekend to improve performance and flow conditioning. The changes involve redesigned third and fourth front wing elements and adjustments to the component’s endplate.
The Swiss outfit says the changes aim to improve its car’s overall aero efficiency.
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