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
The deeper meaning of Vettel’s emotional Schumacher demo run at Monza
F1 fans left emotional after Sebastian Vettel drives Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2002 at Monza
WATCH: Sebastian Vettel pays emotional Michael Schumacher tribute in Ferrari F2002 - "I felt him a lot today"
F1 Spanish GP at Madring: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Anthony Davidson warns young drivers not to follow Lewis Hamilton's Madrid FP3 example
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
"I almost fell asleep" – F1 drivers push for Madrid track changes after "very poor" Spanish GP
WRC Chile: Victory boosts Oliver Solberg’s title hopes as Toyota seals manufacturers’ crown
The step-by-step story of how Lando Norris' Spanish GP miss played out under the VSC
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Audi’s long road back to the top of grand prix racing
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP
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