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Russian GP: The latest key F1 technical developments

Join us as we delve into the latest technical developments from the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi, courtesy of Giorgio Piola and Sutton Images.

Ferrari SF21 engine

Ferrari SF21 engine

Giorgio Piola

Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis

Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content

Click on the arrows on the images to scroll through them…

Red Bull Racing RB16B front brake drum detail

Red Bull Racing RB16B front brake drum detail

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

A closeup view of Red Bull’s front brake drum which shows the various outlets that allows the air passage through the assembly without cooling the brakes for aerodynamic gain. Also note the auxiliary oil tank mounted below the chassis in the splitter region, placed here to free up space behind the monocoque and potentially help, albeit in a limited fashion, with weight distribution.
Ferrari SF21 engine

Ferrari SF21 engine

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Fantastic closeup of the Ferrari power unit installed in the SF21, which shows all of the associated pipework, shrouding and electronics that surround it.
Red Bull Racing RB16B engine

Red Bull Racing RB16B engine

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The Honda power unit installed in the Red Bull RB16B as a comparison shows how it has packaged the engine and have a saddle cooler mounted above it.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Flo-viz painted on the left-rear suspension and brake duct winglets of Lando Norris’s McLaren MCL35M.
Aston Martin AMR21 sidepods detail

Aston Martin AMR21 sidepods detail

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

A closeup of the sidepod region on the Aston Martin AMR21 shows us the venetian blind-like deflectors, the feather-like edge of the main bargeboard element and the upturned edge of the horizontal sidepod wing, which also has two vortex generators atop it.
Mercedes F1 W12 rear wing detail

Mercedes F1 W12 rear wing detail

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

A closeup of the high-downforce rear wing with twin mounting pillars and double element T-Wing selected by Mercedes.
Red Bull Racing RB16B rear wing detail

Red Bull Racing RB16B rear wing detail

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Red Bull preferring a spoon-shaped rear wing to reduce some of the drag that an otherwise higher downforce wing might induce.
Ferrari SF21 rear wing detail

Ferrari SF21 rear wing detail

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

High downforce rear wing and T-Wing combo for Ferrari, note the deep Gurney flap on the trailing edge of the upper flap too.
Aston Martin AMR21 rear

Aston Martin AMR21 rear

High downforce rear wing and T-Wing combo for Aston Martin too, note the forward pocket in the endplate to help displace the vortex created at the wingtip.
Red Bull Racing RB16B rear wing detail

Red Bull Racing RB16B rear wing detail

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Spoon-shaped, higher-downforce rear wing for Red Bull, as it looks for the right downforce level without adding too much drag.
McLaren MCL35M rear

McLaren MCL35M rear

Side view of the McLaren MCL35M with its pair of sinuous louvres both top and bottom of the rear wing endplate
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri AT02

Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri AT02

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Rear end of the AlphaTauri AT02 gives a good view of the diffuser, small rear cooling outlet and higher downforce rear wing.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

This shot of the Mercedes W12 from behind gives us a great view of the higher-downforce rear wing, Gull style T-Wing and diffuser, which you’ll note has pitot tubes emerging from beneath the floor so the team can collect data.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Rear end shot of the Red Bull RB16B for comparison, note how narrow it has made the transition ramp in the central section of the diffuser.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521

Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Rear end shot of the Alpine A521, note how the diffuser strakes are angled to help guide the airflow
Alpine A521 front wing

Alpine A521 front wing

A top-down overview of the Alpine A521’s front wing and caped nose.
Red Bull Racing RB16B front wing

Red Bull Racing RB16B front wing

Top-down overview of the Red Bull RB16B’s front wing and nose.
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