1 - Cut off the shark fins! Last year, the aero engineers installed a dorsal fin on the engine cover, similar to an element used from 2008 - 2010, to minimize the turbulence created from the meeting of the air flows circulating on either side of the engine airbox. This "shark-fin wing" creates an air flow on each side, then "straightens" the two flows to produce a more laminar flow at the end of the fin. The cleaner and higher quality airflow resulted in increased downforce from the rear wing. ©Williams and Haas The new article 3.5.1 of the technical rules doesn’t prohibit this shark fin, but significantly reduces surface area. The element must now be sloped...
Full Story »