TECHNICAL: Ferrari set to run a lower downforce rear wing compared to Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren
Having used a slightly lower downforce rear wing compared to its rivals, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes at last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, Ferrari looks set to run the lowest downforce rear wing at the Red Bull Ring.
The Red Bull Ring boasts the lowest number of corners (10) and the shortest lap time, even if its 4.318 kilometre length make it the fifth shortest track. The circuit owned by Red Bull is second on the list of tracks with the biggest change in altitude, with a difference of 63.5 metres between its highest and lowest points, second only to the 102.2 metre change at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Spielberg track surface is quite old and therefore is highly abrasive, but the lateral forces exerted on the tyres are decidedly lower than the average for the season, resulting in very limited wear overall. Traction out of the slow corners and stability under braking are key contributors to being competitive at this track.
It is important to manage the tyres in such a way as to avoid overheating, especially if they run at high temperatures: those drivers who don’t manage to keep them cool enough could end up finding it difficult to fend off attacks from other cars, especially in the first and last sectors.
After all teams used a higher downforce rear wing at last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, they have reverted to their medium-downforce configurations for the Red Bull Ring.
The images of the respected F1 journalist Albert Fabrega indicate that Ferrari will use the lowest downforce rear wing assembly among the top teams this weekend. The mainplane features a spoon-shaped, convex design. The mainplane of the Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren has a more prominent spoon-shaped section.
Ferrari's rear wing has an extremely simple flap without a V-shaped cut-out. Red Bull's flap has a similar rectangular tip section to the Ferrari's solution, but it sports a V-shaped cut-out.
The flap of Mercedes and McLaren are more curved at its outer section. While the lower edge of the rear wing of Ferrari and Red Bull are convex, the McLaren's and Mercedes' solution follow a convex curve in the middle and a concave parabola at their outer section.
Among the midfield teams, Haas, Aston Martin and Alpine stand out with the rear wing as they look set to run a higher downforce level compared to their closest rivals, Kick Sauber, RB and Williams.
While the tip section of the mid-field teams' rear wing is similar, sporting a rectangular design, Aston Martin's solution is very distinctive with its concave curvature.
Interestingly, only the Kick Sauber team will run a flap featuring a V-shaped cut-out while the rivals elected to use a linear trailing edge.
