It is always fascinating to investigate the reasons why Formula 1 teams incorporate seemingly minor developments into their winter preparations. The recent introduction of Red Bull’s new front wing serves as a prime example of this phenomenon. Although the 2024 front wing bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the key alteration lies in the position of the flap adjuster. While this adjustment may seem insignificant at first glance, I firmly believe that its impact may be more substantial than expected.
To illustrate this point, I have highlighted the location of the adjuster on the 2023 and 2024 cars using a green circle, while the trailing edge profile at medium speed is highlighted in red and the profile at high speed in blue. The design of the front wing on both vehicles exhibits what I would describe as a “decrease in spanwise load as it moves outward.” In other words, the flow at the trailing edge remains relatively consistent, with Red Bull not emphasizing the generation of load in front of the front tires. Spanwise load refers to the load generated across the entire wing.
However, it is crucial to note that the team’s primary focus is not only on the load itself but rather on the airflow structure emanating from the trailing edge of the front wing flap. In reality, these two aspects are interdependent, as the airflow structure greatly influences the performance and consistency of the floor. To provide a visual representation of this concept, the sketch below depicts the spanwise load, which can be compared to the trailing edge profile. This is why I find it perplexing when certain teams opt for a wavy trailing edge, as this undoubtedly disrupts the consistency of the airflow structure.
The red highlights indicate the spanwise load at medium speed for the front wings, while the blue highlights represent the reduction in load at high speed. The blue arrows indicate the position of this load reduction. As you can observe, in the case of the 2023 car, with the flap adjuster placed externally (green circle), the inner section of the flap would flex downward, thus altering the airflow structure at the leading edge of the floor in that specific area. This configuration contradicts the overall philosophy behind the design of the front wing.
On the other hand, with the 2024 front wing, the flap adjuster has been relocated to the inner end of the flap (green circle below). Consequently, it will be the outer end of the flap that flexes downward. This adjustment ensures a more consistent airflow structure in the central area of the car, thus improving the consistency of the downforce generated by the floor. This revised arrangement aligns with the philosophy of the front wing design.
To further illustrate the concept of a wavy trailing edge, I present to you a set of front wings used by Mercedes during testing. The trailing edge is highlighted in red, and once again, the adjuster is indicated by the green circle. Although the regulations prohibit the flexing of the aerodynamic surface, it is widely recognized that some degree of flex is inevitable. As long as the tested areas meet the FIA’s strict load versus deflection criteria, they are considered acceptable.
There are teams that allow significantly greater flex in their front wings compared to Red Bull. Therefore, it is advantageous for the design to positively contribute to the overall philosophy rather than being a hindrance. It is precisely at this point that Red Bull stands out.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is back at Manchester United. The Portuguese player has signed a two-year contract with the English club after spending six seasons at Juventus. The news has been received with enthusiasm by United fans, who are eager to see Ronaldo in action again wearing the red jersey.
Ronaldo, 36, left Manchester United in 2009 to join Real Madrid, where he won several titles, including four Champions League trophies. In 2018, he transferred to Juventus, but now he is back at the club that launched him to stardom.
Ronaldo’s signing is seen as a major boost for Manchester United, which is seeking to regain its status as one of the top teams in England and Europe. With his experience and skill, Ronaldo may be the missing piece to bring United back to winning titles.
In addition, Ronaldo’s arrival is also expected to increase the club’s interest and visibility, both in terms of sponsorships and fans. The player is one of the most popular personalities in sports and has a huge fan base worldwide.
Ronaldo’s debut for Manchester United is scheduled to take place next weekend during the match against Newcastle United. Fans are excited to see the star in action again and are confident that he will make a difference in the team.
With Ronaldo’s signing, Manchester United hopes to compete at the highest level again and win important titles. Fans are thrilled with the news and hope that the player’s return brings success and glory back to the club.
