Ferrari introduced an important upgrade package in Bahrain aimed at increasing the downforce of the SF-25, a real weak point of the car. We carefully analyzed the changes to the floor and diffuser during the Sakhir weekend, but one detail remained out of those analyses because it is not easily visible—it is an element that is often covered by the endplates or the central pylon support of the rear wing.
For motorsport journalist Giorgio Piola, a more targeted position in the pit lane was necessary to capture this aerodynamic device that replaced the two small perpendicular flaps right next to the wing support.
What is it? An aerodynamic element located beside the “ring” supporting the central pylon: it’s not designed to increase local downforce, but rather seems intended to improve efficiency by directing the hot air flows exiting the prominent engine cover vent toward a point between the main rear wing profile and the beam wing, creating a downwash effect.
Like the “tongue” in rapid prototyping that appeared in the keel of the new diffuser, this small aerodynamic component also demonstrates how Diego Tondi’s team is trying to solve the SF-25’s issues with original ideas, rather than copying the concepts of direct rivals.
The flow diverter is made up of two small flaps curved downward, held together by an external triangular-shaped side plate.
The evolution seen in Bahrain should be worth about a tenth of a second overall: it will be interesting to see in Jeddah whether the data collected in Sakhir will be confirmed, indicating that slight upward trend Ferrari seems to have started in the fourth round of the season.
The SF-25, which dominated the sprint in China with Lewis Hamilton, has yet to secure a podium in a Sunday Grand Prix: the early introduction of updates originally planned for Miami yielded a positive outcome, and now we await the more substantial developments expected between Imola and Barcelona to assess the car’s actual competitive level.
A slightly lower-downforce main rear wing profile has been announced: gaining more downforce from the bodywork should allow Ferrari to run less wing, benefiting top speed—an important factor in Saudi Arabia.
