Ferrari in tests Pirelli he used on the machine of Carlos Sainz a metal skid in front of the rear wheels to reduce the pouring. This solution, approved by FIA, was already used in tests in Bahrain, with poor results that favored the use of the tie rod. For Miami, Ferrari will use this metal foil on the bottom again, waiting for a redesigned bottom that in theory will completely eliminate the pouring and this solution should come for Barcelona. Importantly, this skate, also used by Red Bull, it will not be a definitive solution, but an intermediate one, which in a track like that of Miami can give greater advantages than the tie rod.
What news does Ferrari bring to Miami? Ferrari he will bring a lighter rear wing to the American circuit, but it will be a configuration that will also be used in the next races. More Leclerc will mount the second power units and a first upgrade of the MGU-K which will increase the horsepower of your engine by X compared to Imola. In addition the shoe to limit the pouring will be present on both single-seaters.
Why do Ferrari and Mercedes have more porpoising than Red Bull? Ferrari uses a background with a depressive peak, between the central and rear areas of the speaker, very clean, with a marked edge. This difference between the two high and low pressure zones causes the fluid to reach the stall level more abruptly, accentuating the pouring. Both Ferrari and Mercedes they have this problem, but they manifest it in a different way. The first has a pouring low frequency which occurs only on straights and above 300 km/h, while the latter has a pouring high frequency which is noticeable on the straights and in fast corners above 250 km/h. For this reason both are unable to express the maximum potential of the single-seater, in particular Mercedes.
Red Bull, on the contrary it has a heavier bottom, therefore more rigid and less flexing, but in addition it has a much sweeter depressive peak between the central area of the bottom and the rear part of the speaker. This limits the pressure difference.
How to fix Ferrari porpoising? In the Maranello house they are studying various solutions to bring to Barcelona. One of the most accredited resolutions to limit the pouring is to redesign the bottom in such a way as to make the passage of the fluid in the front and rear of the bottom more balanced. If the car generates much more downforce in the front underbody (with the outwash effect) than in the rear – as it does now Ferrari Unlike Red Bull – this goes to increase the pouring. Therefore it is important to limit this effect and if the depression peak between the central part of the back and that of the diffuser is smoothed out, the stalling of the machine is reduced.
Obviously, variables must be taken into consideration, such as the aerodynamic configuration of the car, which differs between Ferrari e Red Bull; the balance of weights and the structure of the power unit in the area of the bonnet.
What to expect in Miami? In the American circuit you run 58% of the time with the throttle open, then reduce the pouring and having a high top speed will be crucial for all teams, especially in the race. It's a circuit that tends to wear out the tires more on the right, requires a set-up that focuses heavily on the front and recalls a cross between Jeddah and Yas Marina. Furthermore, the FIA has formalized the DRS zones for the weekend.
Pirelli e Mario isola confirmed the choice of tyres C2 C3 C4conservative decision. We'll see if the temperatures are high and some teams suffer more than others from tire management.
One thing's for sure, either Ferrari and Red Bull they introduce themselves to Miami to compete for victory and the gaps will be very small. Red Bull on paper she is a slight favorite, but the track will determine the winner.
