The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona will be kick off today, many team already updated their car for the European leg of the F1.We will bring you the update of all F1 team for the Spanish Grand Prix in our next post.For your information, the Circuit de Catalunya is a venue the teams know well from testing, though racing there is a completely different challenge.And for today we will post the update that some F1 team did in the Chinese Grand Prix.
MERCEDES GP PETRONAS MGP-W01 – MODIFIED REAR WING (17 APRIL 2010) – IN THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX.
Mercedes have introduced a simpler, and more experimental version of McLaren’s current rear wing solution. Like on the Ferrari, there isn’t an F-duct, and the air doesn’t flow inside the engine cover fin. Two small openings (1) feed airflow through an aero channel to two slots on the back of the flap (2). The system has been tested by both drivers and is controlled by pressure sensors on both surfaces of the wing.
FERRARI F10 – AERODYNAMIC REVISIONS (17 APRIL 2010) – IN THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX.
In China Ferrari were the second team, after BMW Sauber, to introduce a system similar to McLaren’s solution to reduce rear wing drag and downforce on straights. Mercedes and Williams have also trialled systems this weekend. Other changes on the Ferrari include a new underbody behind the front wing (1) and a new double-decked floor (2) similar to the one used by Renault in Malaysia. The F10’s diffuser also has a revised central section. Compared to the McLaren, the only feature missing from the Ferrari is the British team’s ‘F-duct’, which allows the drivers to control the level of downforce generated by the rear wing at high speeds. And instead of splitting the airbox in two like on the MP4-25, the F10 has two small openings (3) similar to the ones on Force India’s VJM03. Like on the McLaren, however, there are two distinct airflows. One flows (bottom yellow line) to the top of the diffuser’s leading edge (4) via a pipe. The other (top yellow line) flows on to the rear wing flap (5), which features a slot like on the McLaren. Fernando Alonso tested the items on Friday to collect data, which will be used to build a final version of the solution for next month’s Spanish Grand Prix.
RED BULL RB6 – ADDITIONAL EXHAUST DUCT (18 APRIL 2010) – IN THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX.
In China Red Bull introduced a small vertical duct (see red arrow) to the rear of the RB6. This has been designed to prevent the hot air from the exhaust blowing onto the rear tyres and to better direct the air towards the diffuser’s side channel.
FERRARI F10 – MODIFIED REAR WING (18 APRIL 2010) – IN THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX.
Although Ferrari’s version of McLaren’s rear aero package doesn’t yet feature an interpretation of the MP4-25’s driver-controlled F-duct system, most of the new F10 components are very similar to the British team’s solution. Not only is air directed on to the rear wing’s flap, which features a slot, but it also flows on to the top of the diffuser’s leading edge via a pipe (see red arrow). Fernando Alonso tested this solution during Friday practice for the Chinese Grand Prix.
RED BULL RB6 – FRONT AERO UPDATE (19 APRIL 2010) – IN THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX.
Red Bull introduced a modified front wing in China. Although it featured an altered flap, the most interesting change was the addition of two turning vanes under the RB6’s nose (see red arrow). The vanes are similar in style to those run by Toyota last year, and they also feature on this year’s Ferrari F10. Sebastian Vettel tested the new front wing on Friday, but by Saturday Mark Webber was also running with it.
Jom komen!