McLaren Turning Up the Heat on Red Bull with New Rear Wing Assembly at British Grand Prix
In a bid to gain an edge over Red Bull at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, McLaren arrived at Silverstone with a new lower downforce rear wing assembly designed to boost the MCL38’s top speed. This strategic move is in line with the 2023 Formula 1 schedule, where every pit stop counts. As per the latest Formula 1 news, the team also brought three different beam wing specifications to fine-tune the balance between downforce and drag reduction for the circuit and the conditions.
The new rear wing takes inspiration from McLaren’s existing downforce options, albeit with a mainplane and top flap that occupy less of the available box region within the regulations. Notably, the central portion of the wing is flatter for longer, with a less aggressive taper approaching the endplate, resulting in a less tightly wound corner radius. In tandem, the upper flap’s geometry is less twisted across its span, featuring a half-moon notch in the center of the trailing edge instead of the v-shaped alternative.
Furthermore, the tip section of the wing has been modified, with the outermost trailing edge section trimmed, removing a triangular section of material. This alteration will impact the behavior of the tip vortex, aligning it with the changes made to the surrounding surfaces.
In addition to the new rear wing, McLaren experimented with a different rear engine cover and cooling arrangement, featuring a flared opening to facilitate heat rejection. Although the team ultimately benched this solution for the rest of the weekend, it is likely to be revisited in upcoming races where heat management will be crucial.
Mercedes, another team on an upward trajectory, also brought trimmed front and rear wings to Silverstone to cater to the circuit’s unique challenges. Instead of focusing on cooling solutions, however, they made adjustments to the front and rear brake ducts. The new arrangement centers around the size and shape of the inlet, with a smaller variant preferred at Silverstone to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Aston Martin, meanwhile, introduced a raft of updates for the AMR24 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, including a heavily revised front wing design. However, the team encountered difficulties, making the car trickier to drive. In response, they made further changes to their front wing, pinching the drooped profile and turning the leading edge of the element up more around the centerline. This redesign aims to optimize pressure distribution, manage airflow trajectory, and demand more from the nose.
As the 2023 Formula 1 calendar unfolds, these subtle yet strategic modifications will play a significant role in determining the top contenders. With the Formula 1 Autocentre buzzing with excitement, fans can expect intense competition as teams fine-tune their vehicles for the remainder of the season.
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