After Renault introduced their version of the sidepod shield at Montreal, BMW now also have one. Instead of a shield though, it is more of a winglet, as at the inside of the vertical place, a small wing is attached to push air upwards and gain some downforce. The plates of Renault and Honda do not have any such wing and function only as guidance for the air passing by.
This double wing configuration is not new for Toyota but it displays the level of aerodynamic development put into current Formula One cars. an airbox wing at the beginning of 2005 looked mostly like a single stabiliser that created no downforce on its own. The displayed elements are those raced at Hockenheim and is a combined wing with curvatious leading edges on both elements. While the second element has a straight trailing edge and is a stabiliser, the first (red) winglet is not... Read more
After Ferrari and Toyota, the modest Toro Rosso team is the third to have developed a wheel rim ring. The carbon element is glued inside the wheel rim, officially meant to improve brake cooling. Just like at Toyota, the device is not just a ring as it extends into the wheel in order to guide hot brake air out of the rim. It must be noted though that Toro Rosso is the first team to introduce this with Michelin tyres, meaning that we might see more teams introduce it in coming races, ... Read more
Renault showed up at Hockenheim with again an updated aerodynamic package. This time around the ears were again replaced by single element wings instead of the double element layout seen at Canada and Indianapolis. These simple items were also present at Magny-Cours. Secondly, a vertical fin was added on the upper front wishbone. It is exactly as far away from the nose as the width of the camera hose positioned just in front of the wishbone. The element is most likely to straighten ... Read more
While Honda have just recently adopted the previous Renault style of front wing upper elements, the Renault R26 will have a new front wing. The new upper element attachment points are based on Ferrari, as the element now spans from the endplate to the nose cone. The nose attachment is very curvy here and could allow the wing to still flew down a bit at both sides, contrary to Ferrari after they changed their wing because the FIA asked to. The new wing is due to debut at the upcoming... Read more
Williams have developed a a support for the flipups ahead of the rear wheels. While it does support the flipup, its most important function is undoubtedly to direct air towards the centreline of the car. Directing the flow away from the rear wheel might slightly decrease drag, while in the centre of the car it us pushed up above the diffuser, or if you like, pulled up under the rear wing.
In the early part of the season and during winter testing, Honda were using a front wing with an upper element spanning from the end plates to the nose cone. Eventually, Ferrari developed a similar upper element, but now Honda have found the spoons seen at Williams more efficient. The element are rather small compared to the latest evolution at Williams. Also, the profile of the wing has been slightly altered with curvature similar to their Silverstone front wing.
Similer to the winglets seen at Renault before the Canadian GP, Red Bull have now also developed small ears to better guide the air that passed aside of the nose cone. The winglets are placed just above the pushrod, identical to the location on the Renault R26.
The BMW Sauber car is getting more and more chunked with aerodynamic devices. Their state-of-the-art windtunnel allows intensive testing, and last week's Jerez test allowed the development of the new towers above the nose cone and hornets on the airbox, similar to McLaren. Both items as thought to straighten the airflow and therefore reduce drag or increase downforce further down the car.
Williams F1 have taken different front wing specifications to Magny-Cours. One of which sports an extra wide upper element. It's the largest seen so far at Williams and appears to be making a third lower wing element unneeded. The second front wing is the traditionally used item with three elements and a smaller upper element.
