The 2023 Formula 1 championship is approaching its final leg, with the Austin Grand Prix marking the beginning of a series of races in the Americas before the season’s culmination in Abu Dhabi. Most teams have wrapped up their development programs, with a few still having significant updates in the pipeline.
In the upper echelons of the sport, Mercedes plans to introduce innovations at the Austin Grand Prix. Meanwhile, among the smaller teams, Haas is preparing for a substantial update package, with a focus on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Haas, adopting a similar philosophy to Red Bull, will unveil new ‘sloping’ sidepods in Austin, a departure from their previous design. This shift in aerodynamic philosophy represents a significant transformation, albeit within the constraints of the existing chassis and mechanical components. Scuderia Ferrari also faced limitations and difficulties in changing their aerodynamic approach, with the SF-23’s philosophy evolving partially during the 2023 F1 campaign but set for a more profound revision with next year’s car.
The primary obstacle to a comprehensive aerodynamic overhaul for Haas is the lower intrusion cone, which limits the adoption of a “Red Bull style” shape with a large undercut. The revised VF-23 to be unveiled in Austin won’t mark a revolutionary shift in this regard.
Modifying undercut geometries involves reconfiguring the flow field of the airflow, primarily managed via the outer edge of the bottom. This redesigned floor will make its debut in the Austin version of the Haas.
Furthermore, higher sidepods present their own challenges. As teams converge toward the Red Bull concept, the generation of these cars still offers room for development. However, without on-track testing, unlocking their full potential is more complex than with previous models.
The focus remains on the functionality of the floor and its stability in various aero-mechanical configurations. The winning strategy of the Red Bull philosophy was optimizing what the regulations allowed in terms of overall dimensions.
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While Ferrari initially tried to make the most of the regulatory allowances, this approach had limitations, particularly in the diffuser and rear axle area. In contrast, Mercedes pursued a zero sidepods concept, reducing CAD-3D volumes to a minimum but facing challenges with harsh vortices at the front.
Aston Martin, McLaren, and some other teams have evolved the Red Bull concept by combining it with elements of Ferrari’s tubs. This involves creating a canal along the upper edge of the sidepods, often referred to as a “water slide.” McLaren, in particular, has taken this concept to the next level, with its latest specification introduced at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore. This philosophy may shape future developments in the sport, as explained by F1 expert Rosario Giuliana for formu1a.uno
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