The Monza circuit, which traditionally hosts the Italian Grand Prix, has unique characteristics and requires cars to be configured for minimal downforce. The teams are preparing special versions of the aerodynamic body kits for this weekend.
That is why today’s list of technical innovations, published by the FIA, includes information from all ten championship teams.
Red Bull Racing
The championship team reported two changes: these concern the front and rear wings of the RB20, and in both cases we are talking about the fact that the surfaces of the wings, called “last”, i.e. These upper adjustable elements have become narrower.
As the team explains, this rear wing element was ‘shortened’ to reduce drag, and the variable area of the front wing was made narrower to match the aerodynamic balance of this change.
Mercedes
Mercedes reported similar changes, i.e. they also only affected the wings. The width of the adjustable rear wing has been reduced, so that it generates less downforce and creates less drag, as required by the specific characteristics of Monza. As for the front wing, it is only said that its geometry has undergone very minor changes.
Ferrari
The list of different types of improvements that Ferrari presents is the most extensive, including nine points, and not all of them are dictated by the need to prepare the car in a special way specifically for the Italian stage of the championship.
While it is clear that the specially designed wings (including the additional rear wing) are specifically designed to create the low pressure levels required at Monza, other changes are of a more general nature.
The nose fairing-mounted video camera was repositioned, the mounting posts for the rear-view mirrors were shortened, but the most important changes concern the underside of the SF-24. As the team emphasizes, they do not concern the peculiarities of the Italian circuit, but are generally aimed at improving the performance of the aerodynamic body kit and reducing aerodynamic losses.
In particular, the geometry and location of the partition walls between the Venturi tunnels have been changed, the shape of the bottom edges has been modified, the diffuser has been modernized and the configuration of the engine housing has been changed. Of course, all these innovations are somehow linked to each other.
McLaren
McLaren has announced three changes, but curiously, in accordance with the Monza specifications, only the front wing, where the shape of the adjustable element has been changed, has been changed. There is no information about the rear wing.
The geometry of the brake air ducts has also been modified at the front of the car, which has been done to improve cooling and ultimately increase the efficiency of the entire MCL38 braking system.
The third innovation relates to a different shape of the side pontoons, which helps to improve control of the airflow around the car and increase the efficiency of the aerodynamic elements at the rear.
Aston Martin F1
The AMR24 also features three updated aerodynamic elements: an adjustable front wing, a cascade of upper rear wing elements – the team says it has become “less aggressive”, and an additional rear wing.
All this was done taking into account the specific characteristics of the Italian circuit, which require reducing the car’s aerodynamic drag.
Alpine F1
The factory team of the French concern Renault reported the only difference between the car and the version that took part in the Dutch Grand Prix a week ago: the A524 has a new front wing, which of course generates less downforce, as required by Monza.
Williams
On the Williams FW46 there are slightly more changes: on the front wing, not only the geometry of the adjustable surface has been modified, but also the end plates.
The British team also reported that the upper plane of the rear wing has been made narrower, but it is not a fact that this specific version will be used at Monza. The team will make its choice during the weekend.
Visa RB
Six different elements have been revised on Daniel Ricciardo’s and Yuki Tsunoda’s cars. The front wing has a narrower adjustable plane, the rear wing has also been oriented to create less downforce and drag; similar changes affected the additional rear wing.
In addition, a change in the geometry of most of the bottom is reported, which should become more efficient due to better control of the structure of the air flow passing underneath and reduced losses.
The shape of the fairings installed on the Halo system has been changed, and the geometry of the rear-view mirror housing has been “simplified”.
Sauber
The C44 cars are equipped with front and rear wings, the characteristics of which match the specificities of the Italian circuit, i.e. they provide less drag, but the team also reports “minor changes” to the diffuser design.
In addition, the geometry of the front part of the underbody has been modified to improve efficiency.
Haas F1
The American team reported two changes, both concerning the front of the car. As the team points out, the rear wing used in Monza has already been used in Spa, but at the front the geometry of the adjustable plane has been adapted to the characteristics of the Italian circuit.
Also noted is a change in the profile of the front suspension lower wishbones and a different shape to the fairings mounted on the pushrods.
As Haas explained, these measures complete the process of updating the aerodynamic elements in this part of the car, which began at Zandvoort, where the modernised front wing was presented.
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.
