Skip to main content

Recommended for you

Tech3 signs new deal with KTM for MotoGP's 850cc era after Honda talks

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Tech3 signs new deal with KTM for MotoGP's 850cc era after Honda talks

MotoGP Catalan GP: Pedro Acosta claims pole as factory Aprilias crash in qualifying

MotoGP
Catalan GP
MotoGP Catalan GP: Pedro Acosta claims pole as factory Aprilias crash in qualifying

Honda reports first annual loss in 70 years, what does it mean for its F1 project?

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Honda reports first annual loss in 70 years, what does it mean for its F1 project?

Naomi Schiff warns 2027 FIA rule changes could hit smaller F1 teams hard

Formula 1
Canadian GP
Naomi Schiff warns 2027 FIA rule changes could hit smaller F1 teams hard

Valentino Rossi up there with Jordan and Messi among the greatest ever - Franco Morbidelli

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Valentino Rossi up there with Jordan and Messi among the greatest ever - Franco Morbidelli

Bubba Wallace says Christopher Bell was 'caught in crossfire' of bad day

NASCAR Cup
All-Star Race
Bubba Wallace says Christopher Bell was 'caught in crossfire' of bad day

Brad Keselowski has strong feelings about NASCAR's reduced practice

NASCAR Cup
All-Star Race
Brad Keselowski has strong feelings about NASCAR's reduced practice

NASCAR stars debate purpose of All Star Race amidst ordinary Dover atmosphere

NASCAR Cup
All-Star Race
NASCAR stars debate purpose of All Star Race amidst ordinary Dover atmosphere

Bite-size tech: Williams FW38 front wings

Williams has shipped in two new front wings that were used during FP3 as it looks for an uplift in performance to fight both those ahead in the championship and soften the threat from Force India behind.

Felipe Massa, Williams F1 Team front wing

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

Valtteri Bottas, Williams F1 Team front wing

Valtteri Bottas, Williams F1 Team front wing

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The wing used by Bottas above is very similar to the design already employed by Williams but rather than having the small teeth on the flaps to improve flow between the flaps and stop debris/tyre marbles collecting in the gap, it is finished with a new paint which has more surface roughness, much like a sharks skin. 

Felipe Massa, Williams F1 Team front wing
Felipe Massa, Williams F1 Team front wing

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

On Massa's car the team has a heavily revised design with a new endplate fin [1], which abruptly curves upward. Inside the main cascade is a new vertical control vane [2], which has a slot toward the leading edge to improve flow distribution around its surface.

The cascades mounting leg [3]has also been furnished with a slot for much the same purpose, whilst the 'r' cascade [4] has been reprofiled with a much less angular leading edge and tilts over toward the  the main cascade to work with its surface too.

Like the wing used by Bottas there are numerous surface finishes being employed in order to cater for different flow conditions and reduce the chance of debris being collected.

Previous article Race start will show true impact of new tyre pressure checks
Next article McLaren blames communication error for Alonso tyre confusion

Top Comments

Latest news