Analysis
Formula 1 Belgian GP
Bite-size tech: Sauber turning vanes and rear wing
As we've already discovered, Sauber has a new aerodynamic package for the Belgian GP. Today we focus on the under nose/chassis turning vanes.
Giorgio Piola Matt Somerfield
Edited: Aug 26, 2016, 3:16 PM
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Detail, Sauber C38
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
These new turning vanes are very similar to the ones we saw Red Bull run in 2015, with two slots allowing air to pass between the large curved vertical surfaces, whilst a significant footplate is also used to support the airflow structures being generated.
Sauber C35, detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Meanwhile, a pair of horizontal flaps (dotted outline on the image above to show their location), just like the ones found on the Red Bull vanes we've already mentioned, can be found connecting the rear portion of the vanes.
These flaps are in a similar area to the 'bat-wing' solutions we've seen others use and assist in the framing of the airflow from that region, improving the direction and vorticity of the Y250 vortex shed by the front wing.
Rear wing, Sauber C38
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The rear wing has had some attention too, although the team has used a similar design in the past.
The top flap now features two V grooves in line with the slot gap separators to disperse drag across the flaps span. Meanwhile, the mainplane has a shorter chord in the centre than the outboard sections in order to reduce drag but maintain overall downforce.
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