Mercedes have brought at least one upgrade to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a revised winglet arrangement appearing on the side of the W13. Having run two winglets in this area in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, an extra winglet can now be seen for the Imola event (check out the comparison photos below).
What are Mercedes hoping to achieve with the new winglet?
The top winglet is placed higher than before and, in conjunction with the lower and rear elements, creates a channel to divert the airflow downwards. This increases the airstream downwash along the lower section of the sidepods, in a bid to keep it attached to the bodywork profile and avoid spillage towards the bottom of the car. This spillage can generate pressure variations under the floor, increasing the effect of porpoising and/or reducing downforce.
How much of an impact will the change have?
It is not a major technical change, with the new winglet arrangement only a way of improving how the airflow reaches the sidepod inlets. It means this airflow will no longer be disturbed by vortices generated through the lower section of airflow and can now be directed downwards in a more efficient way. Precise developments from the various F1 teams will be shared by the FIA after Friday's 'show and tell' technical session in the pit lane.
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