Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in
Ferrari

The key Ferrari elements that helped Leclerc get past Verstappen

While Max Verstappen seemed to be the man to beat at the previous three race weekends, Ferrari's upgraded F1-75 looked to have an edge over the Red Bull RB18 at the Spanish Grand Prix. RacingNews365.com technical analyst Paolo Filisetti takes a closer look at those updates.

Leclerc Spain
Analysis
To news overview © XPB

The development package that Ferrari brought to Barcelona was based on three key elements. A fourth, but objectively less relevant element, also contributes to the increase in the car's efficiency.

The first three were spotted at the floor. At the edge of the rear section of the floor, we no longer see the knife-shaped profile reinforced with metal clips that we saw since Bahrain (see illustration).

The shape of this area thus seems simplified, almost a kind of return to its origins, that is, to the configuration of the pre-season tests. In reality, however, the F1-75 hides a thorough reinterpretation of the Venturi ducts at the bottom.

This revision is at the rear in the diffuser. We see a lengthened central profile, to increase the outflow of the outgoing flow (see second image by swiping below).

Along with the changes to the bottom, new barge boards were also installed at the front, characterised by wider uprights and with a clear outward inclination. All changes to the bottom had the main objective of reducing and effectively controlling porpoising.

			© RN365/Paolo Filisetti
	© RN365/Paolo Filisetti
			© RN365/Paolo Filisetti
	© RN365/Paolo Filisetti

Effect of the new rear wing

The new high downforce rear wing was intended to improve efficiency on the straights, on the one hand, and to provide more downforce, which is relevant in the twisty third sector, on the other.

The fourth change mentioned at the beginning concerns a different profile of the brake air intakes.

On initial performance analysis, it seems that the objectives of reducing porpoising and improving efficiency on the straight have been achieved.

The same is true of the effect of the updates in terms of tyre wear and, until at least Charles Leclerc dropped out, race pace – something that has also been a quality of the Red Bull RB18 to date.

Also interesting:

F1 Podcast: Did off-track matters ruin the spectacle at the Spanish GP?

RacingNews365.com F1 journalists Dieter Rencken and Michael Butterworth discuss the Spanish Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won a thrilling race after Charles Leclerc retired. But was the on-track action soured by a poor fan experience at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?

0 comments

x
LATEST Mercedes aim sly dig at Perez over F1 form