Gallery: Key F1 tech spy shots at Russian GP

Red Bull prepared its front wing for deflection tests during free practice, siting stickers on various parts of the wing in order that footage captured by a hi-speed camera can be studied further. Teams ordinarily place these reference stickers on the endplate but Red Bull has gone significantly further, adding them to the adjustable section, strakes, the inner face of the outwash tunnel and the cascade as their deflection individually and as a unit is monitored.

Note the use of a disc with six drill holes in the face in order to dissipate heat.

Haas F1 Team VF-17 front brake disc detail

Having tested Carbon Industries brake solutions at the post Bahrain GP test, Haas has decided to push on with their use the Russian GP, too. Note the use of six drill holes across the face of the disc.

Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 front wing detail

A close-up of the front wing used by Renault in the opening races.

Renault’s new front wing features a revised flap layout, utilising three flaps rather than two and a narrower inner footplate, revising the size and shape of the arch and airflow tunnel.

The bargeboard arrangement introduced in Bahrain with a small ‘comb’ of winglets to break up the airflow on the leading edge of the forwardmost element.

The upper double element T-wing tested by Williams in Bahrain makes an appearance in Russia.

Note the use of only one flap between the main and ‘r’ cascade, where ordinarily you’d find two.

A look inside the SF70H’s nose reveals that the ‘S’ duct pipework crosses over.

Mercedes has added two small holes in the tip of the W08’s nose in Russia for driver cooling.

The forwardmost of the two monkey seats that Ferrari plans to run in its higher-downforce configuration, previously tested in Bahrain. This one is hung from the rear wing pillars, which have also been wrapped in gold leaf to reflect the heat created by the exhaust, which is in close proximity.

Sahara Force India mechanics make a practice pitstop

Pitstop practice for the Force India mechanics as they acclimatise to the conditions.

Close-up of Ferrari’s turning vanes, which are made up of two overlapping surfaces - the forwardmost of which is connected to the nose, while the rearward ones are mounted under the chassis.

Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 chassis and front brake detail

Ferrari SF70H chassis and front brake detail

Sahara Force India F1 VJM10 chassis and front brake detail

McLaren MCL32 chassis and front brake detail

Williams FW40 chassis and front brake detail

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR12 front suspension

Note the complexity of the third/heave suspension element.

Haas F1 Team VF-17 chassis and front brake detail

Red Bull Racing RB13 chassis and front brake detail

Mercedes AMG F1 W08 chassis and front brake detail

Ferrari’s new front wing, as introduced at the last grand prix, features an extra slot in the mainplane and a revised outboard section to improve how airflow is moved around the front tyre.

Force India VJM10 front suspension detail

A close-up of the VJM10’s front suspension with particular attention paid to the horizontal suspension element which is the third/heave element.

Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 nose and front wings

A comparison of the two wing specifications that Renault has available in Russia. The lower of the two is the newer specification, featuring three upper flaps rather than two and a narrower inboard footplate.

A close-up of the MCL32’s front wing, which features a very slender upper flap.

Ferrari’s double monkey seat set-up, the forwardmost of which features two winglets and surrounds the exhaust whilst the rearward is a more conventional one, mounted to the crash structure but featuring three winglets rather the usual twin configuration.