Ferrari test with 'mid wing'.

[Adam43]

I keep looking for a slight quote from Ferrari about the wing, but not found anything yet.

Assuming it isn't just for data collection, will this appear in GP? And will it be at high downforce tracks only, or others too?

If it becomes the norm (as other teams may introduce it) will it get banned?

[Rennen]

Most of the teams with the resources to do so are trying all sorts of new wings and winglets in a bid for even more downforce. I went to the Silverstone test yesterday (Tue) and saw a variety of wings being evaluated front, rear and on engine covers, some are very subtle. Colin Champman would have been fascinated!

[kev]

Hmmmm, interesting topic.

Using a bit of basic lever theory & taking the rear axle as the fulcrum, any downforce generated would more than double at the front axle.

Also, downforce in front of the front axle has the effect of lightening the rear, and vica verca. So an increase in front wing, needs to be compensated by an increase in rear wing to maintain balance, creating even more drag.

My stab in the dark is that the puropse of the wing is to correct high speed instability at high speed/low downforce tracks, by increasing downforce at the front axle.

[Howard G]

Hi to all,

well what ever those wings do as part of a package they seem to be working as M.S took 3/4 of a second off the Imola lap record yesterday

Howard

[Team Owner]

I have a friend who is in Italy and he says that the wing is to deflect air to the rear wing for more downforce as the new engine produces more hp affording more downforce.

[Super Tourer]

Welcome to 10 tenths Team Owner - enjoy posting here!

Thanks for the info, I wonder if we will see it at Melbourne?

[Red]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
[...]as other teams may introduce it[...]

The concept isn't new.. I mean in recent history. BMWilly ran those wings for 2-3 seasons now, albeit only at Monaco or Hungaroring, Renault used them too.

That's a pic of Williams wing at Hungaroring 2002 (they didn't use it last year at all).

[Smokey 6 litre]

that photo makes it look much higher than the Ferrari's, so if the Ferrari one is lower the liklier it is to smooth the air flow to the wing.
The higher on the air box it is the wider it can be, so there would have to be a good reason for ferrari to have theirs lower.

[Red]

It is higher, and as a matter of facts it is added on top of the engine cover, not attached on sides. Also, I'm not sure if the 2 are intended to do the same thing.. :confused:

PS: That's a side view:

[Red]

I mean... that one hehe (can't upload pics while editing)

[Adam43]

oh yes, I think the Toyota one mentioned earlier in the thread is the most similar. Perhaps I meant 'if it becomes more common' rather 'than other introduce it'.

[Adam43]

Forgot to say. Thanks for the list Try Hard.

[Redblurr]

The Ferrari one

[Rennen]

The new BAR has one like it further down the engine cover...you aint seen nothing yet!

[Gt_R]

I must say that no matter what aero parts, Ferrari always seem to be able to make it better crafted and integrated than lesser teams

[avsfan733]

looking at it relative to the rearwing, it seems to be just above it...could a secondary use be to reduce the ability of cars to draft...imola has a few long straights...maybe we'll only see it at indy and the other high speed tracks. Just from listening to this discussion I have seen a lot of valid possibilities....My thought was the vortice idea, seems probable.

[Try Hard]

Originally posted by Rennen
The new BAR has one like it further down the engine cover...you aint seen nothing yet!

Your quite right, reminds of some devices that were ran in a similar postion by some teams a few years back. IIRC they had an interesting angle of attack (ie leading edge higer than trailing), due to the angle of the airflow in that region.
I see that the BAR wing only appeared at the last Valencia test, looking from a rear veiw (here ) it looks like it is designed to interact the rear wing, acting almost as a lower plane.

Ed