Formula One car development blog

One peculiar thing on the new RA108 is without a doubt the mounting points of the camera hubs. Various teams have experimented with their position but Honda added a thick connection aerofoil to reduce the aerodynamic impact close to the nose cone. Other than that, the new concept of Honda shows with a completely redesigned front suspension. The thick root of the frontal upper wishbone effectively shortens the movable part of the arm. Also note that a horizontal splitter was added in... Read more

Williams' new FW30 is a particular example for some trends that have been set over the winter. At first there is the attention that was paid to the sidepod panels. After their introduction in 2006 the designs have evolved greatly. The newest Williams iteration is very similar to the McLaren MP4-22 as it is one with the (closed) chimney and has a slit in the main panel itself. More rearward the flipup is rather conventional but shows similar thinking to rival teams. The flipup is now... Read more

The front area is something that was studied very carefully, and apparently the aerodynamicsts must have learnt quite a bit from the recent McLarens. The nose cone in particular is very much alike the MP4-21 of 2005. It has a similar height, thickness and width. The front wing is a little more in line with BMW's last designs but still is a three element wing hung up on the second one, typical designs of a McLaren. Even more, since the MP4-18 every McLaren has its front wing extend a... Read more

Although it might take a second look to see it, the new BMW Sauber has been developed intensively over the winter. Most of the work has gone into the sidepods which now appear to be a step ahead to Ferrari and McLaren. The rear end is so small and low that there was no choice but to lengthen the root of the flipups to be able to attach them to the chassis. The void that was created beneath the flipups is also handily used to add a couple of small winglets. It is however surprising t... Read more

BMW Sauber's new F1.08 does not sport anything revolutionary, but the development has taken a huge leap over the winter. The sidepods have been the main focus of attention. The image clarifies the aerodynamics around and inside the sidepod by yellow flowlines. First of all, the undercut has been deepened to allow more air to flow smoothly around the pod and onto the diffuser and rear wing (1). The same goes for the airflow over the sidepod (3). Intelligent placing of the cooler in t... Read more

Despite late season efforts to improve the front wing by developing nose-attached upper elements, Toyota have opted to go the other way around and turn to a bridge wing that swoops over a lower nose. In fact Toyota cars have never had such a low nose at their launches. As marked in the image, it is vital to know that the wing is downforce neutral in the centre and there only acts as a stabiliser. Also marked is the thick main plate of the front wing, constructed so that it can carry... Read more

Toyota have visibly learned a lot from Renault's R27, especially in the sidepod area. Similar to the R27, the mirrors are now also attached to the sidepod shields, albeit a little more detached from the air-guiding panel (1). In fact they have also taken measures not to be warned by the FIA for too vibrant mirrors. While Renault had to add a small strut, the TF108 has its sidepod panel attached with two firm carbon fibre connections (2). Additionally, the rear wheel flipup has exten... Read more

While a focus on aerodynamics in mechanical parts of the car may sounds like a contradiction, it can greatly reduce drag. The new TF108 certainly stands out from previous Toyota cars as it has been improved and simplified all over the body. As marked in the picture, the new version is still a zero keel suspension-wise but has turning vanes extending on the keels. All suspension arms have also been revised (you can see the old version in the inset) while the geometry has remained lar... Read more

McLaren have once again found a novelty in the sidepod development. While last year they were the first to connect the well known chimney (hot air exhaust atop of the sidepod), the MP4-23 has the most elegant sidepod shield seen thus far. While previous versions were more of an attachment to the sidepod, the new iteration is seemingly a melted part that came loose of the sidepod. The design extends the sidepod at the bottom to allow more air to pass around the sidepod and onto the d... Read more

While Ferrari have adjusted their airbox to protrude a little more to the front, McLaren have taken a different approach with a similar purpose. In fact the team chose to cut out some bodywork just behind the driver's helmet. Clearing up the area under the airbox allows to reduce some drag caused by the turbulent air caused by the cockpit opening and the helmet. Since the roll hoop is incorporated into the airbox and is required to be very rigid, the connections that protrude the ne... Read more