Ferrari has already tested the Wet Weather Package and will continue to do so in the near future. We have talked about this matter on several occasions. This is a measure that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has been studying for several months. The concepts are there, but despite being present on paper, they do not offer adequate results on the track. The FIA technicians led by Nicholas Tombazis have been working on this for quite some time now, but the various setbacks during the tests have repeatedly postponed the introduction of this “prerogative” on the new-generation wing cars.
The goal of the working group led by the former Ferrari engineer aims at the more effective use of the cars when weather conditions are adverse and do not allow the normal course of a session. This is undoubtedly a challenging task, considering the technical dictates governing the current regulatory framework. The problems encountered in reducing the large water columns expelled by the tires are now well known. The goal was to build “real” data collection to study the phenomena and find a solution.
However, once the results collected during the various tests were analyzed, the validation of the much-desired aerodynamic addition did not come. This was a delayed process due to the amount of water droplets inside the flow field generated by the cars. The principle is quite complex, and therefore its administration is challenging. Moreover, according to information from Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica, the intention to reduce turbulent wake through the new regulatory body has actually worsened spray management.
FIA, “Wet Weather Package”: Ferrari at the center of tests to find the technical path to follow
Nicholas Tombazis has been the head of the cars for a couple of years, the technical manager of the regulations, the one who writes them, in practice. Lately, the former Ferrari engineer has been interviewed several times on various fronts, including the thorny issue of the Wet Weather Package. A few days ago, the Greek-born engineer provided an update on the situation. Nicholas explained that they are currently trying to understand if water splashes are generated by the mere design of the tires or, on the contrary, if the reasons are different and therefore solvable through some modifications to the cars.
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Safety is always a top priority in this sense. For this reason, although the operation is anything but simple, they will try to find a definitive answer to the unresolved questions. Nicholas emphasizes that seeing and capturing the correct balance with the use of CFD alone is not possible. That’s why Formula One cars will hit the track once again. One of the solutions under consideration, once again, could involve the use of wheel arches, especially if the tires offered by Pirelli prove problematic in this regard.
If that were the case, the idea is to consider a clear option: postpone the solution to 2026 without “blaming” the Italian manufacturer, of course. If, on the other hand, it is realized that the headaches mainly arise from the configuration of the cars within the regulatory body, such as the chassis or diffuser, additional simulations will automatically be triggered, combined with on-track tests. The next team involved in this process is Ferrari. An investigation into the causes aimed at resolving the problems.
As always in these cases, it remains to be seen whether the many words spoken on the matter will be followed by actions. On the other hand, without minimizing the work of the International Automobile Federation, the technicians working within the teams are undoubtedly more knowledgeable. They prove this every year by challenging the FIA. That’s why it wouldn’t be a bad idea to seek their help, perhaps putting together a more substantial collaboration that could make the issue less complicated.
Source: Alessandro Arcari for FUnoanalisitecnica
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