Technical Insight: Renault debuts new front-wing design in Austria

Renault had plans to bring upgrades to its R.S.20 at several of the opening races of the 2020 season, namely Vietnam, the Netherlands and Spain.

However with those races either cancelled or postponed and the calendar thrown into turmoil, the French manufacturer was able to condense that upgrade package into one large update, which has brought to the season-opener in Austria this weekend.

One of the most noticeable changes is to the front-wing, with several small tweaks in various areas, with the most obvious in the Y250 area.

Renault has modified the design of the flaps so that in the central part of the nose they are joined in a single element (1), creating different vortices that will then flow to the bargeboard area.

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One of the most important changes concerns the fifth wing element (2), which no longer has a tall end where it meets the endplate, instead it remains level – actually dipping slightly – increasing the out-wash effect.

The Spielberg circuit prefers excellent aerodynamic efficiency and speed on the straights, and Renault with the new front wing is aiming to reduce the drag of the R.S.20 by moving the aerodynamic flows towards the outside of the front wheels.

The endplate has been completely modified in the bulkhead and “sidewalk” area (3). Similar to a Ferrari solution seen last year, the new endplate works in synergy with the out-wash effect, adding a cutout step (4).

In the lower area a small flow diverter (5) has been added that moves the air towards the outside of the car. Even the shape of the “sidewalk” itself is different, with a more horizontal and less twisted section (6).

The new front wing works in tandem with the new bargeboards to improve the aerodynamics of the Renault R.S.20, which is aiming to overhaul McLaren and secure fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.