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Simple low downforce front wing for Honda

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Honda have introduced a new, low-downforce front wing that is remarkable in several aspects. A first is a new end plate that sports a new external flap, guiding air downwards. The carbon fibre element aims to reduce the drag from air hitting the front if the front wheel.
On the inside of the end plate, the previous uncurved flap has been replaced by a more efficient element that better catches the airflow to create a little extra downforce. The new item is also thicker, helping to reduce the drag compared to the previous flat flap.
The wing itself is now more simple. It consists of the elements for downforce generation. In the middle, most work has been done to remodel the wing in order to reduce drag. Removing the central spoon has often been a solution for Monza-spec front wings as they allow for more airflow under the car where it can be efficiently guided towards the rear end.

Comments

By wesley123 on 14-09-2008 at 20:48

I dont see how that flap can work, it is usual to push air upwards and guide it over the wheels.

By johnbeamer on 15-09-2008 at 07:52

Wesley - the interaction between the front wing and wheel is extremely complex and trying to rationalise why the endplates are the way they are is fraught!

For instance studies show that flaps with low/negative angles of attack produce the lowest drag from the wing/wheel system - although at the expense of some lift. Therefore this flap is undoubtedly a low drag solution.

Also vortices are very helpful at diverting airflow to places where it is more desired. The vortex from this flap will likely interact with the air flow off the front of the tyre, which itself will produce a vortex to be swept behind the wheel.

Of course without the cfd plot all this remains speculation!

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