Mercedes has brought its final upgrade package of the season to this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, while only two other teams are introducing changes.
The outgoing constructors champions are striving to avoid their first win-less season since 2011. They have brought more aerodynamic changes to the front and rear of their troublesome W13, as well as changes to the floor in between which plays such an important role in dictating the performance of the current generation of F1 cars.
The changes are largely aimed at adding downforce to the car. However the teams arrives at the Circuit of the Americas knowing the bumpy Texas track could be a particular challenge for their car given the difficulties they have experienced with its ride since the season began.
The only other teams with new parts for this weekend are both involved in tight championship fights. Alpine are aiming to fend McLaren off in the battle for fourth place, while Alfa Romeo have only taken one point from the last nine races, while rivals Aston Martin have taken bites out of their lead in recent rounds. Each have brought changes to their floors.
2022 United States Grand Prix F1 teams’ updates
Mercedes
Front Wing
Reason for change: Performance – flow conditioning
Difference: “Reduced camber front wing tip and additional slot gap separators added “
Description: “Reduces wing tip loading, improving onset flow to the front drum deflector, which in turn improves tyre squirt management and flow to the rear of the car. The slot gap separators improve the rigidity of final two front wing elements.”
Floor Fences
Reason for change: Performance – flow conditioning
Difference: “Small change to floor fence camber “
Description: “Improves flow quality to the rear of the car which in turn increases diffuser load, whilst maintaining front of floor load.”
Floor Edge
Reason for change: Performance – local load
Difference: “Floor edge wing with increased forward chord”
Description: “Increases the local load on the floor edge wing, increasing the total floor load without hurting the diffuser load.”
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Rear Wing Endplate
Reason for change: Performance – local load
Difference: “Reprofiled rear wing endplate”
Description: “Improved aligned of the leading edge to onset flow, through all on-track conditions, resulting in more upper rear wing load.”
Alpine
Floor edge
Reason for change: Performance…
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