Analysis
Formula 1 United States GP
Bite-size tech: Ferrari SF16-H splitter winglet
Ferrari continues to test new parts on the SF16-H as it not only looks for more performance for this season but also investigate their effect on the 2017 challenger.
Giorgio Piola Matt Somerfield
Edited: Oct 21, 2016, 8:50 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
In recent races the Scuderia has been particularly proactive when it comes to changing aerodynamic structures underneath the nose and chassis, with the re-introduction of more complex turning vanes and a 'bat-wing' being used by the team in Japan, having used such appendages late on in their 2015 campaign.
This area of the car is now part of an intense development battle for the teams, having been started by Mercedes with the 'bat-wing' back in 2014.
That design saw wings mounted astride the ride height sensor to create an aerodynamic structure to redirect other flow structures, such as the Y250 vortex more favourably.
Many other similar solutions have cropped up since, with Red Bull the first to blink, using a 'gull-wing' that straddled the ride height sensor and joined with the trailing elements of the turning vanes.
When the RB12 broke cover it was immediately obvious that its design team had decided to try something different, with a winglet mounted astride the splitter instead.
Although the aerodynamic intent is similar the movement of the winglet to this lower position clearly has an impact on how the Y250 and other vortices are manoeuvred.
McLaren MP4/31 front fins, German GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
McLaren installed its own version of the splitter winglet back in Germany (above) and now it seems that Ferrari has also decided to try an appendage in that region too.
Car of Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF16-H
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Sebastian Vettel's SF16-H was outfitted with such a winglet for FP1 in Austin, but it made a bid for freedom stage right as the German ran over the kerbs at turn 19 trying to wrestle with the steering wheel with one hand, whilst holding a wing mirror that had become detached in another.
The image above shows the mounting stalk left behind on top of the splitter when the winglet vibrated off the car as it straddled the kerbing.
The various solutions being tested by Ferrari over the latter part of the season are an indication of the work that will need to be done by all the teams next season, as the length of the nose is increased by 200mm and the shape of the Y250 vortex is amended.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Haas expected more from Gutierrez
Next article US GP: Rosberg quickest in FP2, Ricciardo close behind
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Giorgio Piola
The fascinating story behind McLaren's most iconic F1 car
Formula 1
Formula 1
The fascinating story behind McLaren's most iconic F1 car
Emilia Romagna GP: F1 technical images from Imola's pitlane
Formula 1
Formula 1
Emilia Romagna GP
Emilia Romagna GP: F1 technical images from Imola's pitlane
The F1 downforce choices that proved key at the Saudi GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
The F1 downforce choices that proved key at the Saudi GP
More from
Ferrari
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
19 h
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Latest news
"Not allowed, not made possible": Was BMW denied its title chance?
DTM
DTM DTM
Hockenheim
42 min
"Not allowed, not made possible": Was BMW denied its title chance?
Max Verstappen: FAQ on his GTWC Europe debut
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 51 min
Max Verstappen: FAQ on his GTWC Europe debut
Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
1 h
Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe