As many of us are aware, at Spa this weekend the FIA are introducing further load tests on the front wings, after the scandal of the Red Bull and Ferrari flexible wings, with the endplates almost running along the ground. The load tests are being increased from a 100 N load to a 200 N load.
However, recent communicates sent out to the teams in the summer break have announced even further tests to be implemented for the upcoming Italian GP.
Autosport have reported that amid speculation that the teams in question have been making use of the floor flexing, rather than the wings themselves, that tests are being devised to combat this loophole.
The tests will specifically examine the 'tea tray' area of the floor. Furthermore, the skid blocks on the underside of the car may now only compromise of a maximum of 2 pieces, no less than 1m in length. This will definitely affect a number of teams, who are are using several sections of skid blocks. To further ensure teams are not deflecting the floor, from Monza all joints, bearing pivots and any other form of articulation must also be fixed.
The advantage of the flexible floor/wings seems to have been understated in recent weeks. Every mm closer the end plates run towards the floor is thought to give approximately 1 point of downforce, with the effect not localised just to the front of the car. Wings deflecting 25-30mm are therefore thought to give as much as a 1 second per lap advantage.
If this is actually the case, it could pose problems for Red Bull and Ferrari, as undoubtably McLaren have managed to claw back some of this advantage without utilising the flexible floor. Come Monza, we could see a reversal in positions of the top teams.
However, recent communicates sent out to the teams in the summer break have announced even further tests to be implemented for the upcoming Italian GP.
Autosport have reported that amid speculation that the teams in question have been making use of the floor flexing, rather than the wings themselves, that tests are being devised to combat this loophole.
The tests will specifically examine the 'tea tray' area of the floor. Furthermore, the skid blocks on the underside of the car may now only compromise of a maximum of 2 pieces, no less than 1m in length. This will definitely affect a number of teams, who are are using several sections of skid blocks. To further ensure teams are not deflecting the floor, from Monza all joints, bearing pivots and any other form of articulation must also be fixed.
The advantage of the flexible floor/wings seems to have been understated in recent weeks. Every mm closer the end plates run towards the floor is thought to give approximately 1 point of downforce, with the effect not localised just to the front of the car. Wings deflecting 25-30mm are therefore thought to give as much as a 1 second per lap advantage.
If this is actually the case, it could pose problems for Red Bull and Ferrari, as undoubtably McLaren have managed to claw back some of this advantage without utilising the flexible floor. Come Monza, we could see a reversal in positions of the top teams.