The latest F1 tech updates direct from the pitlane
Join us as we dive into Formula 1 technical features on display in the pit lane as the teams prepare for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, courtesy of Giorgio Piola and Sutton Images.
In the past we may have seen F1 teams come to Saudi Arabia with a bespoke rear wing solution to reduce downforce and drag.
However, the cost cap and resource limitations have meant that everyone must look for ways to improve performance without having to craft new parts for each race.
Mercedes, which used this specification of the wing in Bahrain, made some changes to better meet the demands of the Jeddah road route, freeing the top rear corner of the endplate from its cutout.
As we saw at the end of last season, this is made possible by the endplate design, which allows for the use of an interchangeable plate.
You’ll also notice that the tip section of the endplate has been trimmed down instead of having a flat edge to change the behavior of the wing.
Aston Martin AMR23 detail
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Aston Martin 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 A523 detail
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Alpine will add additional cooling to the A523 in Saudi Arabia by pressing a large set of cooling gills into the sidepod bodywork.
Red Bull Racing RB19 brake drum detail
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Here we can take a look at the Red Bull RB19 front brake assembly before the various lines and channels are attached.
Note the design of the caliper, which is expected to be as light as possible, but also features some interesting cooling rods protruding from its surface.
Alpine A523 brake drum detail
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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 .
Ferrari SF-23 brake drum detail
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In comparison, Ferrari’s front brake, which has the caliper mounted in the five o’clock position, has a beefier fairing around it, which has also been coated to reduce heat transfer.
Red Bull Racing RB19 detail
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Here we see the rear of the Red Bull RB19 that has yet to be attached to the chassis. We get a good look at some of the internal suspension members, the rear wing support pillar cage that mounts to the crash structure, and the passage that the exhaust runs under the suspension members, lined with a gold reflective coating.
McLaren MCL60 brake drum detail
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You’ll find that McLaren’s front brake shares some similarities in the duct layout with Ferrari, as the cool air is supplied via the intake and the heat is extracted via the rear-facing exhaust.
Alfa Romeo Racing C43 rear detail
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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.
Aston Martin AMR23 nose detail
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A look up the nose of the AMR23 as the Aston Martin mechanics carry it into the garage.
Aston Martin AMR23 brake drum detail
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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.
Alfa Romeo Racing C43 detail
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The rear brakes on the Alfa Romeo C43 also have disc shrouds to reduce heat transfer between the various components in the brake drum.
AlphaTauri AT04 detail
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A look at the AlphaTauri AT04’s radiator and radiator layout, with the team still using a large saddle radiator as they have for many years, allowing them to pack the sidepods to their liking.
Williams FW45 tail detail
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Williams appears to be preparing the FW45 with its lower downforce package for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Haas VF-23 tail detail
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Haas also opts for a rear wing option to increase straight line speed. You’ll notice that the top flap doesn’t have a gurney on the trailing edge either, but this could change as the wing was still under construction at the time this photo was taken due to the absence of the DRS pod.