Tech analysis: The Ferrari changes that fell short in Austin
Ferrari has maintained its development assault in this last phase of the championship, arriving in Austin with a war chest of parts aimed at optimising the SF70H.
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
All of the parts being used were refinements, rather than full-scale conceptual changes, as the Scuderia looked to wring the last few ounces of performance from this year's car, while being mindful of the resources needed for next year.
As such, only Sebastian Vettel was outfitted with the parts, the team focused on the German’s championship challenge.
Front wing
The new wing features a revised footplate arc, while the mainplane's leading edge has been set back to accommodate this (highlighted in yellow). This, along with changes to the arc’s inner surface, alters the shape and vorticity of the vortex that’s shed.
The endplate is much shorter but features the same outward curvature at its trailing edge. It's now complemented by another short and aggressive endplate (red arrow), which is anchored to the main one, changing the overall shape and direction of the airflow.
This is done in order to change the shape of the wake shed by the front tyre and influence the flow downstream.
Floor
The floor deck ahead of the rear tyre has been altered once more, as the team returned to a specification with five slots compacted toward the rear end, rather than the six slots used in the last few races.
The slots create vortices that help to seal off the area between the side of the rear tyre and diffuser, reducing the effect of tyre squirt - airflow pushed laterally into the diffuser's path by the tyre's deformation.
Diffuser
Making use of the changes ahead of it, the diffuser run by Vettel in Austin differed quite significantly to the one used by his teammate.
Much more akin to the diffuser design trialled at the post-Hungarian GP test but not run since, this one sees the central section flattened out significantly, changing the diffuser's overall size and its interaction with the outer sections.
Above the diffuser, a pair of winglets have been added either side of the crash structure as the designers look to help pull airflow through the diffuser.
Share Or Save This Story
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
Sebastian Vettel: F1 must combine “things we love” with sustainable future
Sebastian Vettel: “I’d be very happy” for Kimi Antonelli to beat me as F1’s youngest champion
The deeper meaning of Vettel’s emotional Schumacher demo run at Monza
Why Charles Leclerc didn’t copy Lewis Hamilton’s driving style amid F1 2026 struggle
Ferrari reveals special black race suit for Charles Leclerc at F1 Singapore GP
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Brad Keselowski crew chief Jeremy Bullins to exit RFK Racing, effective immediately
NASCAR will not penalize Hocevar and Blaney for Bristol fight, but still reviewing others
F1 confirms new Hot Wheels "Infinite Rush" car collection for 2027 release
Ryan Blaney regrets his actions, admits "I got my ass kicked" in Hocevar fight
Great debate: Which circuit should host the F1 2026 finale if the calendar has to change?
Italy’s next F1 world champion?
What's behind the talks between the FIA president and Fernando Alonso over ADUO?
Fernando Alonso is right to sound the alarm about F1 - but history seems to be repeating itself
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.
Top Comments