As expected, many teams have prepared quite serious technical innovations for the Azerbaijani stage of the championship, in particular, modernized versions of the underbody appeared on McLaren and Alpine cars. Overall, all championship teams reported certain improvements.
Red Bull races
On the RB19, the shape of the side pontoon air intakes has changed – they have become wider and narrower. As explained by the team, this allows for a more efficient air pressure distribution. The lower pressure area directs the flow to the radiators at a higher velocity, making cooling more efficient. It also allowed for smaller air outlets to vent the heat sinks, giving an aerodynamic advantage.
The new radiator intakes required a redesign of the top of the pontoons, as well as a slight change in bottom geometry to optimize airflow around them.
Ferrari
The only improvement reported by the Ferrari team is that the car has a reconfigured rear wing with lower drag. This is not related to the peculiarities of the Baku route, but only to the Scuderia’s desire to increase the efficiency of this element.
Mercedes
On the W14, the shape of the deflector that sits between the rear tire and the outer wall of the diffuser has been changed – this has been done so that the airflow around the rear wing endplates is less turbulent.
The end plates themselves have also been modified slightly to match track characteristics, requiring a reduction in chassis drag. The front lower wishbone fairings have also been reshaped to optimize airflow around the front wheels.
Alps F1
The A523 has a new underbody with completely redesigned Venturi tunnels. At the same time, the profile of the wishbones and front and rear suspension was changed to fully express the effectiveness of the improved bottom.
McLaren
McLaren has unveiled an impressive array of new products centered around a completely new underbody that allows for a different distribution of air pressure between the car and the track surface. But on the MCL60 there are a number of other minor improvements, including an additional rear wing below the main wing, which has become smaller.
Alfa Romeo
A rear wing appeared on the car of the Swiss team, which is distinguished by reduced air resistance. The additional rear wing has also been redesigned in accordance with the characteristics of the Baku circuit. The profile of the main face of the front wing has also been changed.
Aston Martin F1
On the rear wing of the AMR23, the shape of the main plane has changed, as has the movable element, as the trajectory requires a reduction in drag in this part of the machine.
Haas F1
A rear wing with reduced drag appeared on the VF-23.
AlphaTauri
Faenza’s team continues to optimize the cascade of additional wings and deflectors in the lower section. The modernized underbody appeared on the AT04 car in Melbourne, and the new elements presented in Baku make it possible to increase efficiency. The team also reported on other changes in the configuration of the aerodynamic body kit, dictated by the peculiarities of the Baku circuit: the front and rear fenders were slightly improved, the shape of the brake air ducts also changed.
Willems
On the Williams machine, the shape of the lower part of the nose cone was changed, which was done to increase the efficiency of the front wing.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
