The simplification of the front wing, designed to encourage overtaking, penalises Red Bull and Ferrari.
The front wing is one of the most critical Aerodynamic devices on the cars, not only producing front downforce but also determining the quality of flow to the rear of the car, notably by attempting to
The first 2019 Aero change is a proposal to make the wing wider and simpler, in an attempt to negate the outwash disturbance claimed to inhibit close racing.
Red Bull’s Adrian Newey has certainly not been one of the supporters of the new aerodynamic rules. According to Red Bull, the simplification of the front wing will not be limited to reducing the effects of excessive wake, the main issue faced with a car following closely behind.
The more worrying aspect of the new front wing rule change is the probable impact on how the grid shapes up during the coming season, with non-Mercedes cars struggling with costly in-season development changes.
The reason for this possibility is the
New F1 aero rules explained by Pat Symonds
In an effort to increase overall downforce, Red Bull and to a degree in recent times, Ferrari, have run much more aggressive rake angles than Mercedes, whose modus operandi has always been to keep the entire floor flat to the ground, with very little rake
Couple this with the required increase in fuel tank size, forcing Red Bull and Ferrari to produce a longer wheelbase than previous years, means that these two teams and some others like Racing Point, will need to radically alter their car concepts, whereas Mercedes can very easily adapt theirs to fit the new requirements.
TJ13 anticipates that the initial cars seen in winter tests for these non-Mercedes cars will be somewhat undeveloped and different to those racing mid-point of the season, more so than Mercedes.
The ‘have nots’, those with
I thought Ferrari ran a longer wheelbase car last year? Not quite to the same dimensions as the Merc but significantly more than their 2017 challenger.
As with any speculation, in recent weeks, news from Italy suggests the Italian mob are very positive with their numbers based on the new front wing and with Aldo Costa stepping down from leading the design who knows how the landscape will form.
Having read Adrian Newey’s book recently, designers work to a set of rules and part of their culture is based around getting concepts in place that have long lead times, effectively stopping their work from being easily copied.
If anyone has an in built advantage from the off, it could well define the championship. Roll on the launches…
Aldo stepping down from leading the Mercedes design…
Altering the front wing is purely ‘tinkering.’ The huge advantage that Mercedes currently enjoy with their vastly superior PU will guarantee them yet another double world championship.
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Fascinating stuff but I really hope Ferrari won’t lose any of those gains they made last season.