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Ferrari commits to new rear suspension for Monaco

Ferrari has committed to its new rear suspension specification for the Monaco Grand Prix despite trialling the old configuration in Thursday practice.

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF71H
Photographers shoot Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H
Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF71H
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF71H

The new suspension upright has a more aggressive transition that is designed to help improve the aerodynamic efficiency at the rear.

It was introduced for the Spanish GP but Ferrari's drop in performance there, particularly over a race distance, prompted further investigation from the Maranello team.

Ferrari tested the suspension with the old, flatter upright in Thursday practice, which ended with Sebastian Vettel third fastest and just over half a second behind Red Bull's pacesetter Daniel Ricciardo.

It took part in Saturday afternoon's final practice with the new spec fitted, which will remain in place for qualifying and Sunday's race.

Vettel finished third again in FP3 but was closer to Ricciardo this time, lapping just over two tenths slower than the Australian's benchmark.

Technical expert Gary Anderson said when the design first appeared that it may have altered the suspension geometry slightly but is mainly for aerodynamic reasons.

"Managing the airflow around the inside of the tyre allows the multitude of turning vanes that are mounted on the inner surface of the rear brake duct to produce more downforce directly on the tyre contact patch," said Anderson.

"The downforce does not have to go through the suspension system so it is loading the tyre more constantly and does not alter as the suspension moves."

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