Formula 1 Mid-Season Review: Three Key Developments That Shook Up the Competitive Order
As we approach the halfway mark of the 2024 Formula 1 season, it’s time to reflect on the significant changes that have altered the competitive landscape among the top teams. In this article, we’ll delve into three pivotal developments that have reshaped the grid.
McLaren’s Revolutionary Bodywork Upgrade
Introduced at the Miami Grand Prix, McLaren’s major upgrade centered around a floor redesign, which significantly enhanced downforce at the front of the car, particularly in low-speed corners. The new wider, shallower radiator intake enabled a more favorable bodywork shaping directly behind, allowing the energizing of the aerodynamics around the leading edge of the floor. This transformation catapulted McLaren to their first Grand Prix win since 2021, courtesy of Lando Norris.
Mercedes’ Front Wing Revamp
At the Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes introduced a key change to their front wing, which suddenly brought the W15 to life. The new design featured a more conventional top element, shallower in the outboard end, and a less sudden upsweep as it rose up to meet the nose. This revised wing eliminated the switch-like traits that plagued the original design, allowing for a more balanced performance. Since its introduction, the W15 has taken victory in three of the last four races, with George Russell claiming a stellar pole position and leading much of the race in Montreal.
Front Wing Flexibility: The New Area of Focus
Front wing flexibility has become an increasingly crucial aspect of Formula 1 development this season. With the current generation of cars struggling to achieve a consistent balance between low and high speed, the benefit of having a wing that can flex to offset its increased effectiveness at high speed has become more valuable. Teams have been experimenting with various fixings and carbon fibre compositions to achieve the desired flexibility. Red Bull, for instance, has tried front wings with different locations for the flap adjusters, allowing for greater outwash of air around the wheels or more airflow to the underfloor.
“Front wing flexibility has become an increasingly crucial aspect of Formula 1 development this season.”
Asymmetric Braking: A Potential Game-Changer
Another area of potential development that has been closed off by the FIA is asymmetric braking. Although we don’t know which teams have been utilizing this technique, the clarification has been made to prevent possible future developments. Asymmetric braking could have been a valuable tool in combating the low-speed understeer and high-speed oversteer that affects these ‘ground effect’ cars. By having greater braking force on the outside rear than on the inside, teams could have reduced understeer and improved overall performance.
With the next race at Zandvoort, the technical regulations now state that any system or mechanism that can systematically or intentionally produce asymmetric braking torques for a given axle is prohibited. As we head into the second half of the season, it will be fascinating to see how these developments shape the competitive order and which teams can adapt quickest to the ever-changing landscape of Formula 1.
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