Red Bull may have been suffering from a lack of driveability in Melbourne, which subsequently led to a rather public spat between themselves and engine partner Renault, but as always their search for aerodynamic superiority continued.
The team used a new front wing which as we can see has had several changes made to it. The leading edge of the endplate is now curved [1] where it meets with the main cascade, whilst the inboard canards have been revised too, with two elements [2] now occupying the same space as the singular element that once resided there. Both of these changes are aimed at improving how the air is moved around the front tyre.
Red Bull are just one of several teams also using a blown front axle to manipulate the airflow structures around the front tyre, so changes in this areas must compliment one another to produce an overall performance increase. The net result of which is to increase performance downstream, as the front tyre wake can impinge on this.
You’ll also note that the team have increased the length of the slot in the front wings upper flap [3]. These slots are used to re-circulate the airflow, changing the wings operating window. Which either entails increasing the wings angle of attack (AoA) too, thus gaining more peak downforce or retaining the AoA but widening the performance window.
Analysis produced by Matthew Somerfield exclusively for Grand Prix Times. Follow Matthew on Twitter.
