Latest F1 tech updates from the pitlane
However, the cost cap and resource constraints have led all teams to look for ways to improve performance without having to craft new parts for each race.
Mercedes made some changes to its Bahrain-spec wing to better suit the demands of the Corniche road route, freeing the top rear corner of the endplate from its cutout.
As seen last season, this is made possible by an endplate design that allows for the use of an interchangeable plate.
The tip section of the endplate was trimmed down instead of having a flat edge to change the behavior of the wing.
Aston Martin, meanwhile, has also modified its rear wing, with the middle section of the trailing edge of the upper flap cropped to reduce downforce and drag.
Alpine will add additional cooling to the A523 in Saudi Arabia by pressing a large set of cooling gills into the sidepod bodywork.
Elsewhere, before the various ports and channels are attached, the Red Bull RB19’s front brake assembly reveals a caliper design that’s expectedly as light as can be, but also features some interesting cooling rods protruding from its surface.
Red Bull Racing RB19 brake drum detail
Photo by: Uncredited
Alpine has continued to place its front brake caliper in the 3 o’clock position this season, using a carbon fairing to deliver cool air from the main intake, while also having teardrop-shaped ports to allow heat generated by the disc to pass through .
In comparison, the Ferrari front brake, which mounts the caliper in the five o’clock position, has a beefier fairing that has also been coated to reduce heat transfer.
McLaren’s front brake system shares some similarities in the duct arrangement with Ferrari, as the cool air is supplied via the inlet and the heat is removed via the rear-facing outlet.
Alfa Romeo’s DRS pod has been slightly modified compared to the Bahrain spec version as a smaller conduit for the mechanism sits on the upper rear part of the main pod.
Meanwhile, the flap pivot points are the more conventional barrel-shaped type, rather than the teardrop-shaped ones we’ve seen on other specs of their rear wing.
The AMR23’s front brake assembly is one area where the team has made major revisions compared to 2022, not only has the caliper been moved to a lower position, but a brake disc fairing is now used.
The rear brakes on the Alfa Romeo C43 also have disc shrouds to reduce heat transfer between the various components in the brake drum.
Williams prepared the FW45 with its lower downforce package for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while Haas also opted for a rear wing option to boost straight line speed.
Aston Martin AMR23 brake drum detail
Photo by: Uncredited