Alpine e Williams copiano l’idea di Mercedes

Alpine and Williams introduced front wing updates at the 2024 Formula 1 race in Japan. However, the approach used is not new: Mercedes has been using similar solutions since 2022.

The new feature in question are the side wing endplates, which are partially separated from the individual front wing flaps. In other words, only small struts connect the endplate and flaps, creating large “empty spaces” between them and in the rear area of the endplate. This design creates a “hole” at the back of the endplate, allowing air to flow rearward and sideways to achieve an “outwash” effect.

In an effort to make it easier to follow other cars on track, the technical regulations introduced for the 2022 season were supposed to reduce this outwash effect. However, teams have still found ways to efficiently divert air from the front wing rearward aerodynamically.

In 2023, the FIA implemented stricter regulations, leading to the current design with partially separated flaps at the endplate and the “freestanding” rear area, which has now been copied by Alpine and Williams.

Some Formula 1 teams have even further refined this concept by using additional horizontal winglets on the inside of the endplates to direct the airflow more precisely rearward. Williams, for example, has a winglet above the point where the final front wing flap meets the endplate.

The shape of the endplate and the external air deflector, as well as the shape and positioning of the small struts connecting the flaps to the endplate, are all crucial factors that influence the airflow rearward and are often modified Holistically.

For the Japan update, Williams modified the outer air deflector on the endplate, replacing the previously used wedge-shaped attachment with a simple, curved element.

Alpine, on the other hand, has historically refrained from using flaps on the endplate, but they have now significantly moved their front wing flaps away from the endplate (upper front wing, red arrows). The changes in the individual flaps (blue arrows) in comparison to the previous version (bottom) are also noticeable.

The various changes in the positioning of the support struts indicate that different forces are now acting on the flaps. The new version has the main profile connected to the second element with only two instead of four struts. Additionally, an additional bracket now connects the second and third elements.

Aston Martin is another team that introduced extensive updates at the 2024 Japan Grand Prix, focusing on the contour of the sidepods and the outer edge of the underbody.

In the side view of the AMR24, the shape of the sidepod is visibly different, with a noticeable contour instead of a smooth surface (red arrow). This design concept is reminiscent of the “downwash” design that Aston Martin first used in 2022, featuring a sloping “ramp” at the rear of the sidepod.

The changes to the underbody include an additional small bulge behind the raised edge (blue arrow), while removing a further rearward incision in the underbody. These adjustments, along with the relocation of the sidepod incision and slight modifications to the diffuser shape in the rear, all contribute to better aerodynamic airflow over the sensitive surfaces in the rear of the vehicle.