

McLaren TV camera mountings

Aerodynamic research is being pushed to extreme limits this year as teams look to eke out an advantage in a period of relative rules stability. The result is solutions like this one on McLaren’s MP4-31, where for the first time the team have added a slot (red arrow) to the nosecone’s camera mountings in order to better channel air to the central section of the car.

Ferrari front wing updates

For Melbourne Ferrari retained the new front wing introduced on the SF16-H at the final Barcelona test, with a slightly serrated first flap (red arrow), and a small vortex generator (black arrow) on the innermost vertical fin in the upper flap section, designed to better manage the large vortex generated by the front wing.

Toro Rosso S-duct

This drawing shows in detail the airflow (blue arrows) through the innovative S-duct on Toro Rosso’s STR11. The large NACA duct on the side of the nose feeds the vertical ramp (as on other teams’ machines) that allows air to pass from the side to the top of the nose. Meanwhile, the smaller NACA duct on the base of the nose (immediately below the large duct) allows air inside the chassis, probably for the purpose of cooling electronics boxes.

Ferrari rear suspension