Following the official presentation of the SF-23 challenger, which was held earlier today in Maranello, Scuderia Ferrari prompted some intrigue because it used an idea which seemed to be banned.
The SF-23 single-seater was seen with an identical series of cleverly-shaped front wing slot gap separators which Mercedes tried to use in 2022 but was not allowed to given the fact that doubts emerged regarding their legality. Toto Wolff’s side arrived at the Circuit of the American in the US with a major upgrade package: as part of the upgrades there was also a revised front wing.
The initial version which was seen in the COTA pitlane immediately got rivals speaking due to the fact that it included five strakes which were designed also with the clear goal of directing the airflow. Several teams did not agree to such a design, pointing out that it was in breach of Article 3.9.8 of F1’s Technical Regulations which states that the goal for such elements is not to provide an aerodynamic gain.
The regulation stated that, while such slot gap separators can be used, they are not allowed to bring a direct aerodynamic influence. The rules stated that these strakes could be mounted ‘for primarily mechanical, structural or measurement reasons.”
Mercedes argued that its new design was within the rules, trying to explain that the aerodynamic benefits were in fact just a secondary effect. Yet many teams complained about this issue to the FIA, who then closely examined the elements, despite the fact that the FIA initially agreed to the original ideal. In the end Mercedes opted not to use the new elements when wing made its first appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix.
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Technical director Mike Elliott explained before the German team took them off the W13 challenger: “I think there’s a fuss about it, because in the regulations, it talks about the primary use being for mechanical or measurement purposes. And clearly, there’s a secondary benefit of an aerodynamic design that’s in there as well. We’ll decide whether we want to argue that one or not. It’s actually not worth a huge amount. That detail looks interesting, but it’s not the big thing on the front wing.” – he added.
The matter related to the Mercedes ban led to some interest for the Maranello team’s design, with its strakes also appearing to be shaped in such a way to help airflow. Yet by taking a closer look to the rules and regulation we can see why the Italian side was able to go for such a technical solution.
As part of revised technical regulations for the new Formula 1 season that were issues a few months ago at the end of the previous F1 championship, the FIA in fact removed the key sentence which laid down the requirement for such strakes to be ‘primarily’ for mechanical, structural or measurement purposes.
As a result, taking into consideration the fact that the slot gap separators offer a ‘structural connection’ between consecutive front wing profiles, and comply with strict measurement requirements, then they are now fully legal – regardless of the aerodynamic benefits that can be gained from such a solution.
Now we will see if Mercedes also goes back to its plan from the second part of the season when they will reveal the W14 challenger, with the official launch scheduled for tomorrow.
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