Formula One car development blog

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On the inside of the end plate, the previous uncurved flap has been replaced by a more efficient element that better catches the airflow to create a little extra downforce.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 r... Read more

Following a string of other teams, Toyota have added cockpit wings to its TF108. This type of winglet helps to stabilise the airflow around the cockpit and allows for more downforce generated by the rear wing.
While all of the team's versions aim to do the same, they are in fact fairly different. By measure of comparison, the lower image displays BMW Sauber's version which is a fairly thick wing with a varying but positive angle of attack. On the Toyota, the wing is thinner and is c... Read more

Williams have introduced a new front wing at Spa, consisting of a more fluent spoon shape. The front wing used since Barcelona (upper image) had a wide central part unlike any other team. The newest version was undoubtedly better for the high speed corners of Spa but it remains to be seen if this wing will be used for the rest of the season. At the outer edges, the tips are curved up, similar to what was seen on last year's FW29.
Also marked in the image is the slightly different no... Read more

Realising that all teams are now competing this season with a zero keel front suspension, I spotted this at the Belgian Grand Prix. The picture shows how the front suspension - which is totally different than that of the TF107 - is attached to the monocoque. The zero keel - which denotes the lack of vertical suspension support under the nose - allows for a much better airflow under the nose and towards the sidepods. The picture does show an extension on the car's centre line, but th... Read more

Well it's more like 6.5, as Mclaren have added an extension in the central part of the main front wing panel. It also features a small gap similar to what BMW Sauber's front wing featured on several occasions this year. McLaren ran this wing only in combination with the new dumbo wings. On Friday, the cars were still fitted with the more conventional one.
Compared to the previous wing on top, you can clearly see the added surface on the high downforce version. Because of these chara... Read more

It has taken the team a while, but Ferrari have eventually developed a dorsal fin engine cover, very similar to the likes of Red Bull Racing, Renault, ... . In fact, currently only McLaren do not have a shark fin but they have obviously been too busy developing their highly succesful new front wing and the dumbo wings.
As is known by now, the dorsal fin is designed to improve the efficiency when the car is in yaw. It straightens the airflow to prevent a reduction of downforce when t... Read more

As of Saturday morning, the McLaren team has modified its cars to run with the new dumbo wings that the team designed. This version is a mix of what was seen previously as it copies the longer wing base of BMW while having similar dimensions to Honda's wings. Interestingly, it does not feature end plates which would be good to reduce wing-tip vortices. The team did however found a solution to that as - marked in the image - the tips are rounded for a smooth transition of the air aro... Read more

McLaren have recently been using steering wheels with 4 paddles, rather than the usual two. The 'telegraph' have reported that, while the upper paddles are used for conventional up and downshifting, the additional levers allow the driver to select a different engine mapping, independently from the gear shifting.

The currently used standard engine control unit enable to teams to program a number of predefined engine mappings, optimising traction or driveability in different condition... Read more

Similar to what other teams have been doing, Toyota have added a slot gap in the outer extremities of the bridge wing. The gap is however much smaller than at McLaren or Red Bull for example. The new wing will allow for a slightly higher angle of attack, possibly mainly with the Hungarian GP in mind that is due to be held in 2 weeks.

It took them half a season, but finally Ferrari have also copied the extended sidepod panel concept. It is however far simpler than the panels seen at BMW Sauber or Williams, but there are no doubt reasons for that. The moment of introduction already hints that the team's have has less aerodynamic benefit from such a panel compared to what other teams may gain out of it.
Note how the panel is slightly curved, similar to rival cars. Ferrari did however choose not to change anything t... Read more