Following Charles Leclerc’s second-place finish in the Austrian Grand Prix, Ferrari fans are optimistic about the team’s performance in the championship this season. Ferrari has made significant updates to their car in recent races, showing improved pace and progress on track. However, these upgrades come with a new challenge related to the management of dirty air and its impact on the car’s performance.
At the start of the 2022 season, Ferrari adopted an in-wash sidepods solution while Mercedes went for zero-pods and Red Bull chose downwash sidepots. Over time, it became clear that Red Bull’s downwash concept was the most successful choice, and other teams, including Ferrari, have followed suit.
The downwash concept effectively manages turbulent air from the front wheels by directing clean air to crucial areas like the beam wing and the diffuser. Ferrari has implemented this concept in their unique way, adding channels or “tubes” to improve the flow of clean air. The advantage of this design is that it provides more space for attaching the floor, resulting in better stability and predictability.
However, the adoption of the downwash concept also brings potential challenges. It is crucial to prevent dirty air, generated by cooling vents positioned above the sidepods, from mixing with the clean airflow. This can affect the car’s aerodynamic components responsible for generating downforce.
Ferrari introduced slight modifications to the front wing and a changed floor for the Austrian Grand Prix. These adjustments, including a redesigned endplate and a different flap configuration, indicate the team’s commitment to optimizing the new concept and refining other components for enhanced performance.
The upcoming British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be a true test for Ferrari. The track’s tire-wearing nature will challenge the engineers to effectively address the issues, particularly with the hard compound. It will provide a comprehensive picture of Ferrari’s progress and the effectiveness of their recent upgrades.
As Ferrari aims to continue their improved performance and fight for better results, overcoming the dirty air problem and optimizing the downwash concept will be key factors in their success on track. The engineering team’s commitment to refinement and optimization bodes well for Ferrari’s prospects in the championship.
