Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes F1 upgrades explained
Formula 1's top teams Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes have all brought detailed upgrades to the French Grand Prix.
Following a two-week break since the last event in Austria, teams have made use of the time to green light a series of tweaks that they hope will further boost their competitive form.
Ferrari's revised front/mid floor and tweaked diffuser had already been spotted in the Paul Ricard pitlane on Thursday.
The team explained that the changes were part of a normal development cycle, and would be carried forward for future races.
"It aims at improving the overall aerodynamic performance through the entire car operating envelope and is not specific to the Paul Ricard circuit," explained the team in documents submitted to the FIA.
Ferrari F1-75 tunnel comparison
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Red Bull
Red Bull Racing RB18 detail
Photo by: Uncredited
Red Bull has also focused on changes to the floor area, with revised fence geometries that extend to the edge.
The team explained: "The fence layout has changed to redistribute the local pressure distributions to improve load while maintaining the flow stability."
The RB18 will also be fitted with a revised upper wing cascade behind its rear brakes. This is again targeting improved downforce but without disrupting the lower wing cascade or the adjacent brake duct exits.
Mercedes W13 detail
Photo by: Uncredited
Mercedes, which will be running with a revised cooling duct on its nose that was spotted on Thursday, has also made changes to the floor edge and the front brake duct.
On the floor there is a reduced curvature on the edge ahead of the rear tyre.
The team explained that this: "reduces local floor load by reducing the local camber [thereby] improving flow into the diffuser, which is turn increased diffuser load."
The addition of internal louvres at the front brake duct exit are aimed at improving cooling, with very hot temperature expected in France this weekend.
Alpine A522 front detail
Photo by: Uncredited
Alpine has also kept up its development push as it is introducing changes to the floor edge and fences.
A new revised underfloor strake targets a higher energy 'off-body' blow to improve airflow underneath the floor and its edges. Tweaks to the fences should help improve airflow to the rear of the car.
Related video
The familiar Paul Ricard weakness that should worry Ferrari
F1 French Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch, channel
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do Alpine: Gasly/Ocon late switch in F1 Japanese GP right thing to do
Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense"
Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense" Hamilton: Mercedes DRS request for Russell "made no sense"
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Supercars investigating wheel nut fix
Supercars investigating wheel nut fix Supercars investigating wheel nut fix
Kiwi racer Hedge in line for HPD Super Formula scholarship
Kiwi racer Hedge in line for HPD Super Formula scholarship Kiwi racer Hedge in line for HPD Super Formula scholarship
Nick Percat lands karting coup
Nick Percat lands karting coup Nick Percat lands karting coup
Chastain fights back to runner-up finish despite gremlins
Chastain fights back to runner-up finish despite gremlins Chastain fights back to runner-up finish despite gremlins
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out Why the reality of F1 engineering debriefs isn't what Drive to Survive makes out
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.