F1 News
Red Bull Racing pushing the boundaries again; cavity in front wing discovered
- GPblog.com
Formula 1 teams always try to shield their cars from leaks as much as possible during the Grand Prix weekends. In doing so, they want to give away as few secrets as possible to the competition. Occasionally a photographer slips in and this time we have found out more about the RB16.
About its front wing to be precise, the most important aerodynamic part on an F1 car. Especially for Red Bull Racing this season. At times their car suffers from sudden imbalance, due to what is probably a sudden loss of downward pressure. It all starts at the front wing.
The team, led by Adrian Newey, is known to push the limits and photos from Motorsport-Total.com show that again. At the Nürburgring their photographer was able to photograph the front wing from underneath and a groove in the endplate was discovered.
What is the function of this cavity?
The endplates of the Red Bull are hollow, because at the back there are a few holes where the air can come out again. Given the shape of the endplate, which runs out at the back, this seems to be intended to guide even more air around the front tyre.
However, it could also be a way to remove as much pressure under the front wing as possible and thus generate even more downward pressure. This cavity in the front wing is in any case something that has not yet been seen on any of the other cars and shows once again that Red Bull Racing are taking a lead in aerodynamics.