Alpine A522

[Blackout]

Very interesting. What makes you think that curve piece goes any further back than that bridge 1" or so before the rad? Looks like it's designed to create a seal on that bridge.

Yes you're probably right

[godlameroso]

Yes the car is definitely relying on the floor edge gurney to generate load in that area.
They're using the front of that undercut to turn airflow outwards (outwash) towards that gurney flap (yellow) to power it up, so it can also enhance air extraction from below the floor.
RB was doing a similar thing IMO in the first iteration, but with less agressiv edge wing/curl.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FO3LWiYXMAA ... ame=medium

As you can see the undercut is pushing that flow sideways, whereas the new RB sidepods moved away from that design and pushed the undercuts widest part backwards and inboard for a more streamlined shape

https://i.imgur.com/ITPIIJr.jpg

And those sidepods are wider than needed. They have plenty of empty space around the radiators and they are using that flap (green arrows) to seal the void between rad and bodywork, so the car can have much tighter sidepods if it wants.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FO3LYBMWUAI ... ame=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FO3PBcUXoAA ... name=small
Pics from Nextgen-auto and Motorsport images

https://files.catbox.moe/tbcrnf.jpg

You can see the edge wing near the rear wheels on the RBR is shaped like a converging duct, converging ducts produce jets of air. You can see that the jet of air is aimed right at that little mouse hole on the side of the diffuser.

It's a much smoother design than the Alpine, which looks boxy and sloppy by comparison.

https://i.redd.it/y00rrqra4rp81.jpg

Look at the sparks, they come from the edge wing, right into the diffuser.

https://i.imgur.com/6QHolab.jpeg

You have to wonder where McLaren is aiming theirs.

Finally, only took them 3.5 months.

*downvote away, doesn't change the fact I'm right.

[selvam_e2002]

is Alpine going to change floor to meet FIA Flex floor rule change? or we good.

[diffuser]

is Alpine going to change floor to meet FIA Flex floor rule change? or we good.

I don't think anybody know's for sure, with any of the teams. Fry has often said that Alpine made their floor stiffer on purpose but he's not gonna come out and say "oh yeah, we have a retractable plank, so we can get closer to the ground". I don't think they are, based on their ride height has been higher than most, but that an absolute guess. Horner and Wolfe have come and said it will not effect them at all but most pundits don't believe them.

[diffuser]

https://www.auto-motor-und-spor ... nkreich/

Alpine wants to make it as difficult as possible for McLaren and continues its policy of taking small steps. They're getting smaller now, but increasingly efficient, according to the team. The latest step can hardly be seen, but should bring a decent lap time. The underbody was modified at the edges and one of the four baffles in the front part of the floor got a new shape. New parts are also to be added in Hungary. This is the path that Mercedes has now taken.

[stan_french]

https://www.auto-motor-und-spor ... nkreich/

Alpine wants to make it as difficult as possible for McLaren and continues its policy of taking small steps. They're getting smaller now, but increasingly efficient, according to the team. The latest step can hardly be seen, but should bring a decent lap time. The underbody was modified at the edges and one of the four baffles in the front part of the floor got a new shape. New parts are also to be added in Hungary. This is the path that Mercedes has now taken.

I honestly hope those updates do get smaller, they've really milked this car upgrades wise, but it seems alonso is a little more dubious of its effect on next year's car, or at least he wants the switch to happen asap.

I'm curious to see what the effect on next year this will have.

[organic]

[Blackout]

Sensibly different floor here. The changes kinda mix Alpine's usual design there, with the RB one...

[Blackout]

Alpine removed the first fence (1) & lowered/flattened that portion of the floor, & changed the angle of the second fence (2).
& other pictures suggest that Alpine added a new fence behind fence 2 but I'm not sure.
That area now looks like one of the older RB floors, but mixed with Alpine features.

[Blackout]

[Blackout]

*unless the new fence is an RB-style ice skate ?

[diffuser]

If you thought those wings coming up off the front of the floor were straight...think again. They have a curve of a hockey stick.

[Blackout]

Indeed, it seems the A522 floor now has an RB-style ice skate... unless I'm seeing things..



RB:

[diffuser]

Indeed, it seems the A522 floor now has an RB-style ice skate... unless I'm seeing things..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FYcrTPBXgAI ... name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FYcspu3WAAY ... ame=medium

I had my suspicions...not sure how many pictures I looked through yesterday. Great find.

Also when I looked at the Friday pics, I saw they were testing several different floor side.

[Blackout]

Yes both drivers compared both floor versions in Fp1 and Fp2. And Alpine used aero rake in the sidepods and floor, + flowviz on the floor + aero sensors inside diffuser.... (but only on the older floor spec it seems)

And the A522 boat area of the floor in Austria seems to have 2 dips that weren't there in Melbourne... maybe Alpine added a hump there to squeeze the flow more between 'boat' & inboard fence, & further accelerate it & increase suction there? unless I am seeing things