Tech insight: The caped crusaders of the F1 paddock

It’s not exactly a new idea, just a reimagining of a device we’ve seen before, with the previous incarnation rising to prominence with Williams in 2009 and McLaren in 2010 (illustrated below, click on the arrows to scroll between them).

The then-named ‘snowplough’ device looked to maximise flow performance from the high nose solution that the prevailing regulations permitted.

Williams first used this design in 2009 (left)...

...and this was McLaren’s solution for 2010.

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Mercedes takes the "Super Ted" route

It was Mercedes, in 2017, that then reimagined this solution, with members of the team reportedly naming it “Super Ted’s cape” given its similarity to the childhood TV character when viewed from beneath.

With the narrowest nose on the grid, the team has been able to stretch the device out and utilise an airflow defining profile either side of the main structure in order to capture and nurture the airflow that passes by.

Here's how the concept was revisited and refined by Mercedes in 2017...

The Mercedes W08 was first outfitted with turning vanes under the nose and chassis.

Introduced in Spain, the W08 was fitted with a narrower nose and cape – that did away with the turning vanes in this region.

Mercedes opted to use the cape as a means of moving the airflow ahead of the point on the car normally associated with such a task.

The solution underwent alterations throughout that season, as the team continued to hone the solution to maximise performance. This resulted in changes made at both the front and rear of the cape's design, improving how airflow was captured and how it was repurposed downstream. 

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Williams and McLaren join the club in 2018

Williams made some bold design decisions in 2018, mixing some of the key aerodynamic ideas seen from both Mercedes and Ferrari in the hope it could improve performance. Top-right inset is the under-nose cape addition.

The under-nose cape design can clearly be seen here on the 2019 car.

McLaren was next to make the move, introducing a new design at the 2018 Spanish GP...

...This was the first time a team had looked to use the cape in conjunction with the nose-tip air ducts, and while alterations had to be made the solution showed great promise.

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The 2019 bandwagon jumpers

We then have to fast-forward to 2019 before another adoption of the solution came through, with Racing Point testing its version in Canada before its first race proper in France. Much like McLaren, the solution tied in with the teams use of through flow ducting, which was also modified to accommodate the cape.

Renault also leapt on the bandwagon in France, adopting its version of the cape, although its version outwardly seems less complex due to the lack of aerodynamic furniture around the nose tip.

Alfa Romeo’s introduction of the cape solution came as part of its package of updates for Silverstone. Much like McLaren and Racing Point, the solution is tied into its use of inlets around the nose tip which were also adapted as the wing pillars were reshaped. 

The other front-end change made by Alfa Romeo for Silverstone was a change to the outboard section of the front wing, which now features an upturned mainplane, whilst the subsequent flaps have also been adjusted to suit, improving the wing's ability to draw airflow across and around the front tyre.

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