Super Formula
Super Formula promises 50% reduction in dirty air for 2023
Super Formula has promised a reduction of up to 50 percent in dirty air for its 2023 car, as it closes on finalising the specifications for the upgraded SF19.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Aug 24, 2022, 1:37 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Japan’s top single-seater series has invested considerable effort in a testing programme this year aimed at decreasing the carbon footprint and increasing the raceability of its cars, running with a pair of development SF19s for 10 days at four different tracks.
During a press conference in last weekend’s Motegi round, series bosses gave a summary of the programme so far and offered a glimpse of what the 2023 car may end up looking like in the form of a sketch - featuring remodelled front and rear wings (pictured top).
A set of graphics were also shown demonstrating that the new car will generate a much less turbulent wake than the current model, something that series chiefs are hoping will lead to easier overtaking and more on-track battles.
The red areas in the graphics, which depict one car following another from both side-on and top-down views, represent low air pressure, or ‘dirty air’, while the blue represents high-pressure, ‘clean’ air.
They demonstrate that less turbulent air is able to reach the front wing of a chasing car with the new car, and that the width of the bubble of dirty air that does affect the chasing car is also narrower.
The top graphic shows a side-on view of one car following another, while the bottom graphic offers a top-down perspective. The images marked '開発車両' are of the 2023 development car.
Photo by: JRP
This effect has been achieved partly with a revised rear diffuser aimed at sending the dirty air upwards as soon as possible instead of directly backwards towards the chasing car.
Additionally, the front wing has been modified to reduce the amount of outwash, whereby the endplates funnel air around the outside of the car (good for aerodynamic performance but bad for racing), in favour of sending more air directly underneath the car to run through the floor.
Promoting more passing was one of the goals of Super Formula from the outset of the project, dubbed ‘Next50’, along with the introduction of more sustainable materials, while improving engine sound has also been tackled more recently.
So far 8076km of running has been completed at Fuji, Suzuka, Autopolis and Sugo by development drivers Hiroaki Ishiura and Koudai Tsukakoshi, of which 1572km was dedicated to testing different aerodynamic concepts.
The test scheduled for just prior to last weekend’s Motegi race was postponed until November, with the next run slated for late October at Suzuka - where something approximating the final version of the new car will hit the track.
This will include previously-tested Yokohama tyres featuring more sustainable materials and engine cover and sidepods made partly from Bcomp flax fibre, both of which are likely to be part of the final 2023 car specification.
Earlier this year, the project’s technical director Yoji Nagai told Motorsport.com that downforce levels would be cut by a little over 10 percent compared to the current cars, leading to laptimes about one second slower at most circuits.
However, following the latest findings, Nagai said the actual figure would be about eight percent when the latest version of the car hits the track at Suzuka.
The upgraded car is likely to get a new moniker despite being based on the current Dallara-constructed SF19, with the label ‘SF23CN’ (CN standing for 'carbon neutral') believed to be one possibility.
- Watch all Super Formula races live on Motorsport.tv (available worldwide except Japan). Click here for more information.
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 Nojiri knows title approach “may not be interesting to watch”
Next article When a future IMSA star was humbled by Super Formula
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Latest news
Zane Smith fined $50,000 by NASCAR for ramming Carson Hocevar after Phoenix Cup race
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
4 h
Zane Smith fined $50,000 by NASCAR for ramming Carson Hocevar after Phoenix Cup race
FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
TDS Racing doubles down on IMSA program with two-car LMP2 return
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 8 h
TDS Racing doubles down on IMSA program with two-car LMP2 return
Why Isack Hadjar doesn’t like F1 sprints anymore
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
9 h
Why Isack Hadjar doesn’t like F1 sprints anymore
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