The four leading teams in the world championship have all brought upgrades for the first of two consecutive events this weekend.
Ferrari have confirmed the details of the floor upgrade which the team hopes will turn their fortunes around. The extensive upgrade to the SF-25’s floor includes revisions to the front fences, underfloor body, edge and diffuser.
“This floor package features updated front floor fences targeting an enhanced vorticity released downstream,” said the team in its submission to the FIA. “The reshaped boat and tunnel expansion have been subsequently re-optimised, together with the floor edge loading and diffuser volume distribution, leading to an overall load gain across the car operating envelope.”
The team’s driver Charles Leclerc said yesterday they are seeking an overall gain in downforce from the upgrade. Ferrari have tended to perform well over a race distance this year but have been less competitive in qualifying.
Their three race-winning rivals have also brought modifications to their cars for the 11th round of the world championship. Red Bull has brought a smaller revision to its floor edge which it hopes will generate more downforce without affecting the stability of the airflow.
McLaren, which introduced an alternative front suspension configuration at the last round in Canada, has a further development in this area. It expects the changes to the suspension fairings, together with revisions to the bodywork around it, will bring an aerodynamic benefit.
The championship leaders have also brought an alternative rear suspension configuration which it says will offer a different mechanical set-up configuration. In Canada only Lando Norris ran the new front suspension while Oscar Piastri chose to continue with the original design.
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Mercedes have brought two updates intended to suit the requirements of the Red Bull Ring, which is situated at a higher altitude than most tracks and therefore places a particularly high demand on cooling. They have brought larger front brake duct inlets and exits and a reshaped engine cover with a larger exit for their W16.
As F1 nears the halfway point of its season, most of the other teams have not brought upgrades. The exceptions are Sauber, which has a new floor body and revised rear wing, and Racing Bulls, which has revised its front wing flap and upper rear wing element.
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