For Formula 1 engineers, this phase of the 2023 Formula 1 season is probably the most delicate and stressful. In a context of regulation continuity, the 2024 F1 projects are true evolutions of the 2023 cars, improved in their respective areas of vulnerability. For this reason, all teams, except for Red Bull, need on-track feedback before the summer break, even before achieving fortunate results.
As demonstrated by the Maranello team order imposed on Carlos Sainz in the early stages of the last Austrian Grand Prix, the historic Scuderia Ferrari has an extreme need to accumulate kilometers in order to certify the validity of the recent updates. It doesn’t matter who achieves the result; the important thing is to gather as much data as possible during the race weekend.
During the recent World Championship events, we have witnessed very different performances from Red Bull’s rivals. Aston Martin, after a start above the most optimistic expectations, is starting to struggle with race pace, precisely in the area where they excelled. The same goes for Mercedes, who, after abandoning the zero-pod aerodynamic vest, displayed a very consistent performance in Spain. In the last two races (Canada and Austria), the Prancing Horse has shown excellent performances, although still at a significant distance from the very solid RB19 (at least in Max Verstappen’s hands).
Probably the layout of the tracks in question, as well as the debut of updates by the teams, is changing the track hierarchies from race to race. Regarding this aspect, Fernando Alonso, at the end of the Styrian Grand Prix, stated that he is not too worried about this continuous reshuffling of the midfield positions. Probably the two-time Spanish world champion expressed his opinion by focusing on the short term. For engineers, the continuous “up & down” in performance poses a real puzzle.
F1: Silverstone, a battleground and validation of updates.
First and foremost, it demonstrates that the evolved cars are still sensitive to various factors: circuit geometry and, of course, weather conditions. A combination of factors that could reshuffle the deck within the pinnacle of motorsport in the upcoming event at one of the iconic and most demanding circuits for current Formula 1 cars: Silverstone.
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If we add to this equation the variable of the new tires that Pirelli will bring for the next weekend, although Mario Isola claims that this factor should not change things too much, it is highly likely that some teams may modify their virtual models of the 2024 cars until the last available day. This works in favor of Red Bull, which theoretically, considering their significant advantage over the competition, should have already decided on the design of the next car based on a dominant mechanical foundation.
For many teams, the historic track located in Northamptonshire County will be a sort of repair test compared to what was appreciated in Spain. The presence of numerous high-speed corners will provide indications of the effectiveness of the interaction between the front suspension and the rest of the car regarding the management of aerodynamic flows that flow towards the rear of the car, as explained by Roberto Cecere for FUnoanalisitecnica.
The stunning segment formed by the Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel corners (from turn 10 to turn 14), along with the incredibly fast Copse, will be strict judges of the evolved cars from Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. Ending the upcoming race weekend with a result at least consistent with simulations will bring a huge sigh of relief to the aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics departments of the chasing teams.
Last year, Ferrari managed to win with Carlos Sainz before the controversial technical directive TD039 came into effect. 365 days later, the victory will consist of narrowing the gap to the RB19 during the race and acquiring feedback that confirms the effectiveness of the development plan for everyone, except the reigning world champions. It is a meager consolation, a consequence of Red Bull’s dominance that cannot be filled in just a few months.
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