A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
Nice pictures! It seems like that are following Ferrari/Red Bull for diffuser shape (big smooth keel in the middle). Plus single element beam wing… any thoughts about that?
Also, notice the upper corners of the diffuser have substantially more sculpting and volume taken out right behind the exit. I'm assuming the exterior and interior shaping correspond.
LH spoke of "left front bouncing" when he crashed at COTA.
TW has now said about problem "three wheeling" after Mexico.
GR slo-mo in FP crash, I belive showed that front wheel bouncing showing the three wheeling characteristic, albeit initiated (or so it seemed) by running at very high load over the curb.
It looks as though the plank is being used in mitigation of rear end bouncing, leaving alot of debris from floor coming out the back sometimes.
The rear suspension APPEARS to have more travel than they've got clearance under the car, such that the suspension is not forced into a high energy stop which is subsequently distributed into the rear tire carcass.
To lift the front wheel generally on a F1 car (excepting bouncing over a chicane) then you'd conventionally need to increase rear wheel "travel" or as seen in a rear puncture when that lifts one front diagonally opposed to that deflation.
Here though, it appears they are very deep into wheel travel on rear to create that effect.
Its quite different to how the others are operating, with one front lifted and rear partly sitting on it's plank, not surprising it acts with such abrupt attenuation of peak grip. George didn't even have time to get much in the way of opposed lock on it came at him so fast in that Mexico event.
Isn't exactly a hidden shark mouth, but I guess the intent is the same. It's all to get cleaner flow influence near the floor edge wings and better outwash.