McLaren MP4/20 and those strange airbox horns

Here are our CFD links and discussions about aerodynamics, suspension, driver safety and tyres. Please stick to F1 on this forum.
f1artwork
f1artwork
0
Joined: 18 Mar 2005, 16:21
Location: UK

McLaren MP4/20 and those strange airbox horns

Post

Does anyone have any educated guesses what those wings do? I am a technical illustrator commissioned to explain how these damned things work but noone seems to know that much.
Are they to merely direct airflow back downwards slightly towards the rear wing making it more effective? They don't look to be at enough of an angle to produce any downforce as far as I can see and the vertical element, is that to reduce vorticices forming as air spils from one suface to the other? Rather like the little vertical bits at the ends of the wings on some larger commercial jets? HELP!!!