Anticipating the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, eight out of ten Formula 1 teams have announced updates for the upcoming 2024 Japanese Grand Prix. Mark Hughes provides an analysis of the modifications:
The RB20 has undergone changes in its cooling inlet arrangement, with an additional inlet located at the upper front corner of the sidepod. This inlet merges into the sidepod itself, while the side cooling outlets have been sealed. According to the team, this redistribution of inlet and outlet areas improves downstream flow. The floor has also been modified to support a higher load without disrupting the stability of airflow. Furthermore, changes have been made to the floor edges. As for the front brake ducts, they have been reduced to accommodate the lower braking demands of the Suzuka circuit compared to the three previous circuits.
In anticipation of rain forecast, Ferrari has given itself the flexibility to use a rear wing and beam wing with higher downforce. Additionally, the team has introduced a larger aerodynamic shroud on the upper arms of the rear suspension, which has been realigned. The front brake ducts have also been reduced and made more aerodynamic to align with the lower braking demands of the circuit.
The Silverstone-based team brought a significant update to Suzuka, involving a complete revision of the car’s underside. This includes fundamental changes in the geometry of the fences, floor edges, and floor body. Additionally, a new diffuser with a higher expansion rate was introduced to fully exploit the new floor geometry. The team claims that a new front wing, with revised elements and new endplates, reduces drag while maintaining the same level of downforce. A single-plane beam wing was implemented to relieve the upper wing and optimize the performance of the car’s underside. Furthermore, a new endplate for the front wing was designed to improve turbulence control around the front wheel, resulting in more aerodynamic benefits downstream. To achieve a more favorable compromise between drag and downforce, the rear wing and beam wing were reduced in size specifically for the Suzuka circuit. Finally, a new floor body and floor edge were introduced to increase the load on the car.
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No changes were reported by Mercedes and Haas.