Ferrari busily testing new nose and front wing

Ferrari were extremely busy testing several aerodynamic configurations of its F138 during the first practice sessions of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Some of the switched components include a new nose with bulge underneath, a lower downforce front wing and the sidepod panels that curve over the top of the sidepods. All this in combination with the longer vs shorter sidepods, something that the team have trouble with deciding which is in fact the best option to go for. Even both race drivers have differing opinions on those components.

It seems like Ferrari is testing all possible combinations, but the front wing pylons appear to be fixed on the new design. At least as far as the changed leading edge is concerned. Alonso for instance has been seen with a straight, vertical trailing edge of the pylons while Massa at one point had a curved version with the black panels tapering off towards the track surface.

The bulge underneath the nose was not a constant but is Ferrari's attempt to control airflow underneath the nose. It's a very similar solution to the bulge on the Force India VJM06 or on the Lotus E21.

A new front wing was also tested, featuring stacked elements that do not attach to the inner wall of the endplates but instead curve down toward the main plane, allowing a free stream of air onto the 7 wing elements that sit just ahead of the front wheels.