The FIA has abandoned the unattractive wheel cover solution to reduce spray in Formula 1 races in wet conditions. Last season, Mercedes tested a solution at Silverstone, while Ferrari tried two more aggressive wheel protectors at their test circuit in Fiorano before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The motorsport governing body has been looking for a way to deal with the spray problem in wet races, as the current generation of ground-effect cars makes it almost impossible to follow in these conditions. Despite Ferrari’s attempt to cover most of the tires, the spray generated by the rear diffuser led the FIA to completely abandon the wheel protection plan.
According to Nikolas Tombazis, FIA’s Single-Seater Director, there were two main factors contributing to the spray: the amount of water collected from the ground by the diffuser and the spray generated by the wheels. FIA decided to test a full wheel cover, going beyond what would be practical, to determine if it could be a viable solution. However, the previous wheel cover test conducted at Silverstone last year was fragile and too small to have any real impact. Despite pushing the limits with the new wheel covers, they did not have a significant enough effect to be considered a solution. As a result, the FIA is back to square one in search of a solution to mitigate spray in wet races.
Some images have emerged showing Arthur on the track with the FIA F1-75 version, equipped with aerodynamic appendages for extreme conditions.
The Ferrari wheel cover test for rainy conditions featured Oliver Bearman, the team’s Reserve Driver. Bearman’s task was to follow teammate Arthur Leclerc at Fiorano while water was applied on the straight, allowing the team to evaluate the spray generated by a car equipped with wheel covers. However, both Bearman and the FIA deemed the effects of the covers insufficient. Bearman expressed his disappointment, stating that the high aerodynamic pressure of the cars from the floor energized the air, causing the spray to follow and impair visibility. Despite some improvements, the team will need to go back to the drawing board to find a solution.
During the test, the team tried different configurations and wet the straight of the track 4 or 5 times. They adjusted the level of opening of the covers, as closing them completely would negatively affect the temperature of the tires and brake system. Although progress was made, the problem remains unsolved.
Faced with the challenges presented by extreme rainy conditions during a Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari’s Single-Seater Technical Affairs Chief, Nikolas Tombazis, ruled out blocking the diffuser as a solution to mitigate the spray. This measure would compromise the aerodynamic grip of the cars. Instead, Tombazis is actively working on finding alternative solutions to avoid race cancellations or severe delays, as happened in Spa in 2021.
Tombazis acknowledged that the wheel covers used in the test were not aesthetically pleasing. However, if they had proven to be significantly effective, the team would be willing to install them once a year to avoid disruptions in races. The intention was never to use them every time it rained, but rather to explore other options to ensure the smooth running of races in wet conditions.
© 2024
The football star Cristiano Ronaldo made an incredible play in the last Real Madrid game. With his exceptional skill, he dribbled past three defenders and scored a spectacular goal. The crowd went wild with the play and applauded standing up. This goal was one of Ronaldo’s best in his career and shows why he is considered one of the best players in the world.
Furthermore, Real Madrid won the match 3-0, securing another victory for the team. With this result, Real Madrid is getting closer to winning the championship title. The team is in great form and has shown impeccable performance in the last few games.
Ronaldo is in an amazing phase and has been key to Real Madrid’s success. He has scored goals in almost every game and has been the standout player of the team. His skill and determination are inspiring to the other players on the team.
The next match for Real Madrid will be against Barcelona, one of the club’s biggest rivals. This game promises to be exciting and full of rivalry. Ronaldo is confident that Real Madrid will come out victorious and continue on the path to the title.
Real Madrid fans are excited about the team’s performance and believe that the team has a great chance of winning the championship. They are eager to see Ronaldo in action again and are hoping for more incredible plays like the last game.
There is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time. His skill and talent are unmatched, and he continues to amaze fans with his incredible plays. Real Madrid is privileged to have him on their team, and the fans are eager to see what he will do next.
