F1 – Ferrari at Imola with interesting floor changes and updates. Ferrari at Imola with interesting floor changes and updates.

Compared to Bahrain, Imola is a circuit that requires less downforce and more aerodynamic efficiency: the changes on the front and rear wings are in fact part of the aerodynamic setup typical of low downforce tracks. The front flap is reduced in the part closest to the center of the car, the part that generates load, while the external part, which develops after the metal support, serves to manage the outwash that prevents the flows from impacting directly with the tire.

At Imola, Ferrari introduced a spoon rear wing instead, typical of circuits where it is important to reduce drag, which has two objectives: the lateral parts of the wing are almost neutral in terms of aerodynamics, generating little load but also little resistance. The central part, on the other hand, which works on the flow disturbed by the bonnet, has a greater impact and will take on most of the load generation. This wing is very similar to the one used last season as we can see below in the illustration.

Spoon wing of 2020

After several comparative tests, Ferrari decided to use a standard wing, probably the rear load from the floor and diffuser was not enough. In addition, we must consider the variable rain, which many weather forecasts take for granted, so Ferrari preferred to play it safe, with a wing that generates more load at the rear.

The absence of the t-wing, an element that generates load with low efficiency (therefore generating little load but a lot of resistance) is the prime example of the philosophy adopted in this race.

For the floor, however, the discussion is different: it does not seem a “fast track” floor, but the natural evolution of this area, with ideas taken from the other teams. By giving up part of the surface, however, the negative arrow effect is avoided, which favors the connection between the upper and lower part of the floor, thus reducing the effects of the pressure difference. This appears “retouched”, so it is likely that Ferrari has simply modified an existing floor by cutting it, removing and adding flow deviators, rather than creating a floor that is already born with these modifications.

We expect many changes in this area by all the teams during the year, since, with the variation of the regulation in that area, the teams have to rebuild the know-how on this car area.