Ahead of the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, two Formula 1 teams from the midfield zone have introduced significant improvements to their cars. In addition, three other teams have made specific adjustments in the cockpit area. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new.
The struggling Alpine team has developed a notable upgrade package centered around a new floor design. This new floor includes redesigned fences at the tunnel entrance, along with a redesigned floor edge wing and a remodeled diffuser side wall. These modifications are said to provide a substantial increase in downforce.
On the other hand, Haas has introduced their first major upgrade of the season. This includes a completely new floor and engine cover. The team has made changes to the floor and floor edge fence geometry, aiming to improve drivability. Additionally, a new cooling channel layout has allowed for a slimmer engine cover design.
Several small changes have also been made to the Haas car. The wings above the rear brake duct have been redesigned to increase local load, while the mirror housing has been reduced. A flow conditioning device has been added to the cockpit halo, creating mini-vortices to improve airflow to the rear wing. The front part of the halo has been reshaped to optimize airflow efficiency, and a small adjustment to the headrest fairing has reduced airflow separation.
It is worth noting that some teams, including Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, and Sauber, have not declared any updates for this race.
As the Chinese Grand Prix approaches, these improvements and adjustments will certainly play a crucial role in the teams’ performance.