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Major upgrade packages from McLaren and AlphaTauri headline a fairly packed list of updates disclosed by Formula 1 teams ahead of the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard.
Mercedes
Mercedes has made no mention of its revised nose and front wing but is reporting a modified curvature of the floor ahead of the rear tyre, claiming it actually reduces local load at that point and in deforming less provides a better flow to the diffuser.
There is also a revised cooling route for the front brakes, with a different routing through the cake tin surrounding the disc and calliper.
Red Bull
Further changes to the geometry of the floor fences to “redistribute load while maintaining flow stability”. The RB18’s fence geometries are extremely sophisticated in how they align with the floor geometry.
There is a tweak to the rear upper winglet, to better connect up the flow from the beam wing to the main wing.
Ferrari
Ferrari has introduced a new floor as part of its development cycle with revised geometries for the front and mid part of the venturi tunnels.
McLaren
An extensive package of upgrades for McLaren at the heart of which is a new sidepod shape with the aim of increasing aerodynamic load on both axles.
There is an accompanying new floor with improved diffuser performance.
A range of extra cooling options in anticipation of the very hot forthcoming races have been incorporated as well as a tweak to the rear wing endplates for reliability reasons.
Alpine
A revised underbody strake together with revised geometry for one of the floor fences combine to better energise flow into the underbody.
AlphaTauri
A significant upgrade package here for the AlphaTauri includes a heavily revised engine cover/coke bottle section with a taller, wider shoulder.
The surface behind there remains unchanged and this has created a gulley which is used to better link up the flow around the front tyres with that being fed to the rear of the car.
The diffuser has been modified, including the removal of the previous cut-out which is no longer needed thanks to improved flow from the front of the car. The floor edges and fences have also been changed as part of the re-channelled underfloor flow.
Aston Martin
A gurney section added to the forward edge of the floor’s cut-out works that leading edge harder.
Williams
The front floor support has been re-engineered to provide greater flexibility so that the drivers are not compromised so much on the lines they take over kerbs.
Alfa Romeo
The rear brake drum deflector has been tweaked for improved airflow for what is claimed to be a small performance gain.
Haas
No developments reported.
