Was a secret front wing upgrade key to Ferrari's US....

Was a secret front wing upgrade key to Ferrari’s US….read more

impressive performance at the United States Grand Prix raised questions about whether undisclosed upgrades were key to their success. Unlike their rivals—McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes—who introduced visible developments at the Austin track, Ferrari did not declare any changes on the FIA’s official submission sheet. However, this does not tell the entire story, as teams can make modifications that do not need to be reported.

According to Article 19.1c of F1’s sporting regulations, teams are only required to inform the FIA about major aerodynamic and bodywork components that have not been previously tested. Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, emphasized that the absence of declared upgrades does not imply that the team did not implement any changes. He noted, “It is not that because we are not declaring something that we are not bringing something,” highlighting that the adjustments made pertained to the car’s external shape.

Insider speculation suggests that Ferrari may have introduced new specifications for their front wings. Although these wings appeared identical to the ones first seen in Singapore, they were reportedly optimized to enhance aerodynamic elasticity. This aspect is crucial in a season where a flexible front wing can significantly improve a car’s balance, helping to mitigate low-speed understeer and high-speed oversteer—a challenge faced by the current ground effect designs.

Ferrari had previously been cautious about adopting flexible wing designs, feeling that other teams were pushing the limits too much. However, recent clarifications from the FIA regarding the allowance of such flexing enabled Ferrari to explore this route. While an optimized flexi-wing may not drastically transform performance, in a competitive season where fractional differences matter, it can provide a crucial advantage.

Vassaur acknowledged the importance of these minor tweaks, stating, “Clearly it is not a game-changer, but we are in the situation today that every single hundredth of a second is making a difference.” After the race, he noted that Ferrari’s qualifying advantage was often just a fraction of a second over competitors.

The updated wing design includes modifications to the flap geometry and a redesigned spoon-shaped transition that alters the aerodynamic response from the nose. Additionally, changes were made to the outboard section of the flaps to enhance outwash effects and modify the wake generated by the tires. These improvements are indicative of Ferrari’s strategic focus on maximizing aerodynamic performance, reflecting their competitive edge at the