Belgian GP 2022
The Formula 1 factories remained closed during the summer break. Nevertheless, the teams had a lot of new parts in their luggage for the Belgian GP. After maximum contact pressure in Hungary, the opposite was required in Spa. Many were already practicing for Monza.
Even the summer break cannot stop the development machinery of Formula 1. The wings for Spa were developed two months ago and completed before the forced break. You just didn't need them. Spa places completely different demands on the cars than the Hungaroring. Maximum contact pressure was required in Hungary. Spa is one of the fastest routes on the calendar. There are only two questions: will the Monza wing work, or is the Baku variant better?
Seven teams showed up with new or modified rear wings at the 14th World Championship round. Some only changed the flap, others also the main blade and the end plates. Five teams also adapted the lower wing (beam wing). Five also operated on the front wing to help balance the car.
McLaren made the greatest effort. The two MCL36 have been further developed in eight points. The engineers also focused on the underbody, the engine cover and the rear brake ventilation. It's an improvement in detail. The world is not reinvented there.
Quantity does not necessarily have to be an indication of a large lap time gain. Alpine simulated that with the two changes in the front diffuser tunnel and rear brake ducts you would find a tenth and a half. The performance suggested these arrived on the track as well.
Here is our overview of the Spa-Francorchamps upgrades:
Mercedes
Front wing endplate: Modified transition of the wing into the endplates.
Underbody edge: New wing on the edges of the floor panel
Underbody baffles: New arrangement of the baffles and thus vortex channels. Brings more downforce
Rear wing: New profile for the wingtips based on the Baku wing.
Red Bull
Sidepods: Slightly modified shape to minimize downforce losses when all cooling fins are open.
Rear suspension: New control arm fairing.
Ferrari
Rear wing: Special wing for Spa's downforce level
Lower wing: Adapted beam wing for Spa rear wing.
McLaren
Rear Wing: Special wing for Spa's downforce level.
Underwing: Customized beam wing for spa rear wing.
Diffuser: New profile on the bottom.
Rear brake ventilation: Modified winglets on the inside to reduce drag.
Engine Cover: Smaller to reduce drag.
Cooling Outlets: Reducing the gills for less cooling needs.
Underbody in the area of the rear wheels: An additional winglet on the inside.
Front suspension: New tie rod fairing.
Alpine
Rear brake vents: new position for the air intake.
Underbody baffles: Slightly modified geometry of the baffles in the front area of the floor.
Alpha Tauri
Rear suspension: Changed the angle of the control arm fairing to better harmonize with the rear engine cover.
Rear brake ventilation: Changed positions of the winglets to improve flow.
Rear wing: Special wing for Spa's downforce level.
Underwing: Customized beam wing for spa rear wing. The wing consists of only one element and one gurney.
Aston Martin
Front Wing: Adjusted front wing for spa rear wing to better balance car.
Rear wing: Special wing for Spa's downforce level.
Williams
Front Wing: Adjusted front wing for spa rear wing to better balance car.
Rear wing: Special wing for Spa's downforce level. The modifications took place mainly in the area of the flap.
Underwing: Customized beam wing for spa rear wing.
Alfa Romeo
Front Wing: Adjusted front wing for spa rear wing to better balance car.
Rear wing: Special wing for Spa's downforce level. Changes to the flap and end plates.
Haas
Rear brake ventilation: Trimmed winglets to reduce drag.
Lower wing: Smaller flap on beam wing.
In the gallery we show you the most important technology upgrades from Spa-Francorchamps.
