F1 2022 Aerodynamics differences between Teams

Comparison of Ferrari – Red Bull – Mercedes sidepod

At the Barcelona tests, for the first time, the new cars took to the track without hiding. All the teams have discovered the cards a little more by bringing the solutions to try on the track. In this place we want to make a comparison between Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes sidepod. The 3 top teams have in fact chosen to adopt very different solutions.

READ: DOWNFORCE AND GROUND EFFECT EXPLAINED

New Mercedes sidepods for Bahrain test

Lewis Hamilton has brought the W13 already renamed “without bellies” to the Sakhir track as it has a reduced sidepod area and is almost flat on the sides.

Waiting to understand what the real potential of this revolutionary car is (in the first outing the world times champion limited himself to testing brand new aerodynamic solutions without seven thrusts to the maximum the W13), the new innovative Mercedes, very far from the one seen in the first test in Barcelona, ​​created the first real case in the Formula 1 paddock even before the World Championship started.

In fact, many have raised doubts about the regularity of the solutions adopted by the Brackley team (in particular on the bases on which the mirrors rest, which seem to be real wings that act as flow deviators prohibited by the F1 technical regulations) and already after the first laps of the first session of Sakhir’s pre-season tests came out of the statements attributed to the rivals of Red Bull that suggested an imminent legal battle on the new W13 to be brought in front of the FIA.

F1 2o22 – Ferrari F1-75 new bodywork

The Maranello team opted for wide sidepod, able to accommodate all the radiant masses. This solution also allows you to remove the dirty trail generated by the wheels trying to reproduce the effect of the bargeboards used until last season. The inlet vents are quite large and advanced as they must ensure the right supply of air to the radiators positioned in the bellies. The great work done by the Italian team has made it possible to lower the center of gravity of the car and to tighten the engine hood considerably (behind the airbox) to improve the flows to the rear. Seeing all the cars on the track today, none has a tapered bonnet like that of the red. The peculiarity of Ferrari, however, is certainly the channel obtained in the upper part of the belly. This excavation is able to generate a zone of local low pressure and accelerate the flow so that it arrives energized at the rear.

Everything was done in search of maximum aerodynamic efficiency which, according to rumors from Maranello, they estimate to be 7% lower than the solution with more traditional sidepod.

F1 2022 – Red Bull R18 interesting cooling system

Adrian Newey certainly did not disappoint expectations by inserting really interesting solutions into the new car.

To strike were above all the bellies and the entrance of the mouths for cooling. The latter are further behind than the competition and have a lower profile that clearly divides the flow destined for the radiant masses from that driven towards th e bottom of the car. The new born in the Red Bull house follows the Ferrari philosophy of wide sidepod to try to remove the turbulence generated by the front tires.

The similarities, however, end here, the RB18 in fact has a slide, instead of the “Ferrari excavation”, which guides the air flow to feed the rear in order to better interact the beam wing and the exit of the Venturi channels. It is interesting to note that the slide is very progressive, a detail that indicates how the radiators have been positioned practically horizontally.

The solution shown by Red Bull also seems to be “modular”, a feature that would allow the car to easily vary configuration depending on the track.

F1 2022 – Mercedes vs Red Bull

The 8-time world champion team opted for a totally different philosophy than the other two top teams. Mercedes in fact continues the line seen in recent years, with short and narrow bellies. The choice of the German team was to keep the radiant masses in the area of the power unit so that they could make the most of the potential of the bottom, which seemed to be very elaborate. The bonnet, on the other hand, seems to be more “standard” and less extreme than its competitors (Ferrari in the first place) but we will see if Mercedes will bring some news during the tests. Looking at the comparison from above between Mercedes and Red Bull, the differences are very evident. First of all, you can see how the Mercedes air intakes are much more advanced than the Red Bull ones but above all the difference on the bellies is clear. On red bull you can see the broad philosophy while Mercedes tries to free up as much space as possible for the bottom.

Venturi entry comparison: Who will have made the best choice?

The return of the ground effect has led to the return of the Venturi channels in F1: we see a comparison between the various teams. (We thank Twitter, and in particular @albertfabrega, for the many photos posted.) The input of the Venturi is essential to be able to channel as much air as possible under the bottom, thus increasing the downforce generated by the same. In addition to the front wing, used to better channel the flows, the initial comb areas are fundamental.

READ: DOWNFORCE AND GROUND EFFECT EXPLAINED

Among the 4 cars analyzed, Ferrari is the only one not to have bulkheads coming out of the canal itself. All the inner fins are hidden in the side view from the outer one. The other 3 teams show bulkheads coming out of the channel, useful to better direct the flows, but show different geometries. Alpine and Red Bull have a more square geometry that develops in opposite directions.

On red bull we see fins developing upwards, trying to capture as much air as possible. On the car French have adopted a similar but downward-facing geometry. Mercedes adopts a philosophy similar to the Alpine but adopts a more rounded profile.