While Ferrari and Red Bull are in a class of their own in front, the fight behind is much closer as a host of teams bid to threaten Mercedes.
Alpine floor and beam wing changes
Alpine has perhaps had the potential to be the biggest threat so far, and has introduced a package of changes for Imola to lift its performance.
Alpine A522 side detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The Enstone-based team has introduced a new floor with revised geometric changes that are intended to help improve downforce.
Working in tandem with the floor is a changed rear beam wing, that features a revised outboard end shape. The changes are designed to help support the airflow through the diffuser more.
The parts were evaluated by Fernando Alonso in Friday practice with a decision to be made before qualifying about whether or not to keep them on for the rest of the weekend.
AlphaTauri AT03 detail
Photo by: Jon Noble
AlphaTauri has focused its development efforts on the floor of its car.
The shape of the leading edge has been changed to increase its height partway across its span.
Furthermore, a cut out has been introduced into the sidewall of the diffuser and the curl at the floor edge in front of the rear tyre.
The team explained that: “The forward floor changes alter the distribution of the loading generated by the floor to maximise the downforce that can be generated across the ride height envelope of the car.
“The rearward changes are designed to work better with the structures generated from the edge of the floor to increase the overall floor load.”
Tweaks have also been made to the floor strakes to help them work better with the floor changes.
AlphaTauri has also changed the lower surface of its front wheel scoop – making it shorter but wider. It is now more of a D-shape, and is aimed to work in conjunction with the front suspension to better control the wake from the front wheels.
Alfa Romeo C42 sidepods detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Alfa Romeo has also introduced…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Motorsport.com – All – Stories…