Breaking news
Formula 1
Ferrari to test 2021-spec floor in Portuguese GP practice
Ferrari will test a 2021-specification floor during Friday's free practice sessions at the Portuguese Grand Prix in a bid to get a head-start on next year's regulations.
Giorgio Piola Matt Somerfield
Published: Oct 23, 2020, 8:24 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
This will be the Scuderia's first look at how the new rules, which will force teams to cut a sizeable hole in the floor, will affect the performance of the car in the real world.
Having already studied the impact of the floor change in CFD and the wind tunnel, the data and feedback captured at Portimao will then be used to improve the correlation of its simulation tools and should help it to decide its development direction going forward.
Ferrari SF1000 floor comparison, Styrian GP
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
In the last few years, there has been a significant emphasis placed on the area alongside the edge of the floor and ahead of the rear tyres. In an effort to increase downforce, Ferrari has continued to make changes this season, as can be seen by the older specification inset.
As part of a plan to reduce downforce levels by ten percent in 2021, the FIA has zoned in on this area of the car and demands that a diagonal portion of the floor ahead of the rear tyre is eradicated, whilst slots on its edge will not be permitted either.
Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren MCL35 with a 2021 spec floor
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
McLaren also tested a solution in Belgium that featured the diagonal cut in the floor as it hoped to get a head start on it 2021 design and ensure its tools are performing as they should be.
Comparing this with the solution that Ferrari has available in Portugal, it's interesting to note that Ferrari has opted to create a scroll on the latter part of the floor.
It's likely this has been done in an effort to roll up the airflow and disrupt the turbulence created by the rear tyre, which can be damaging to the performance of the diffuser.
Read Also:
- Ferrari will use tokens to "redo the rear of the car" for 2021
- F1 technical update: Ferrari’s recovery push hindered by tokens
As part of the package of changes made by the FIA to reduce downforce, the brake duct fins also need to be narrower next year. This is a feature that the SF1000 appears to have as part of Ferrari's test package, along with a diffuser that has the shorter dividing strakes.
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 Perez to "say something pretty soon" amid Williams links
Next article Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "probably" a formality
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
Scuderia Ferrari
Charles Leclerc and Pecco Bagnaia: From kings to princes
MotoGP
MotoGP
Charles Leclerc and Pecco Bagnaia: From kings to princes
Sainz blasts "most unfair penalty ever", seeks stewards' explanation
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Sainz blasts "most unfair penalty ever", seeks stewards' explanation
Calado: "Difficult" for WEC Hypercar newcomers "to win straight off"
WEC
WEC
Calado: "Difficult" for WEC Hypercar newcomers "to win straight off"
Latest news
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
1 h
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
2 h
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Cadillac signs Ricky Taylor, Antonio Felix da Costa in refreshed 2027 WEC line-up
WEC
WEC WEC
Barcelona
2 h
Cadillac signs Ricky Taylor, Antonio Felix da Costa in refreshed 2027 WEC line-up
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