The central half of the circuit, extra technical, is between two high-speed sectors that, underneath regular situations, drive groups to discover a stability between downforce and resistance ranges.
However since the lengthy straights are good for overtaking, most favor a decrease downforce rear wing association. They profit from it in the quicker components of the circuit, after which cope with the problem it generates in the extra twisty half of the observe.
Nonetheless, since the weather was going to play a significant function in the efficiency of the automobiles throughout the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, all groups needed to take into account the ramifications of their selections on qualifying and race day.
As for the two protagonists of the title, Mercedes and Crimson Bull Additionally they didn’t wish to be outclassed by the different, realizing that having an excessive amount of wing would depart them susceptible to assault on the straights.
Nonetheless, additionally they needed to stability this with tire put on, as leaning too closely on them in the second sector would have an effect on stint length throughout the race.
Crimson Bull Racing RB16B rear wing comparability.
Photograph by: Uncredited
To be able to apply their completely different profession plans, each groups approached the weekend otherwise.
Mercedes examined varied choices on Friday, whereas Crimson Bull used what can be thought of the de facto possibility for Spa till FP3, when it fitted Verstappen’s automotive with a wing that we’d usually see reserved for Monza (above).
The aileron nonetheless has the same spoon-shaped design, however you may see how the fundamental aircraft is mounted a lot increased on the endplate as the workforce appears to cut back the vortex created at the tip of the wing.
Nonetheless, it didn’t final lengthy, as moist weather situations pressured the workforce to alter it. He returned to the increased downforce association and, apparently, additionally added a gurney flap on the trailing edge of Verstappen’s wing, whereas Perez stored operating with out one till his automotive was rebuilt for the restart from the pit lane.
Crimson Bull Racing RB16B rear wing comparability.
Photograph by: Giorgio Piola
In the meantime, Mercedes put in its decrease downforce rear wing on Bottas’ automotive throughout FP1 to evaluate its efficiency earlier than later choosing the increased downforce mannequin, worn by Hamilton all weekend.
Particularly, with the storm approaching the circuit for qualifying, the workforce additionally added a gurney to the trailing edge of its wing, which helps stability the automotive at the expense of some extra drag (blue arrow).
Mercedes W12 rear wing comparability.
Photograph by: Giorgio Piola
Aston Martin got here to the Belgian Grand Prix with its personal low downforce proposal, however as an alternative of simply deploying a distinct rear wing, it additionally had a relatively novel answer for its entrance wing.
It entails the set up of a distinct higher flap, with two flat sections on both facet of a fold, creating a really angular floor.
Aston Martin AMR21 entrance wing element.
Photograph by: Giorgio Piola
Groups have lengthy compartmentalized the design of the entrance wing, in which the outer part of the entrance wing is kind of used to create an outward air stream, which helps information airflow by way of and round the entrance tire.
The change made by the workforce is probably going a response to the incapability to attain the desired stability together with your present setup while you loosen up the higher wing angle, whereas this angular geometry may give you the potential to regulate your stage of downforce.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR21
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
The Aston Martin-mounted low-downforce rear wing is a simplistic method that makes use of a smaller higher flap and fundamental aircraft, whereas making use of a gurney in the similar place as different tools to help the total stability of the automotive.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR21
Photograph by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Photographs
The workforce switched to Lance Stroll the extra downforce, bucket-shaped rear wing as the automobiles waited to start out the race in the pit lane.
Beginning in 18th place, he obtained a 10-second penalty for violating parc fermé situations however, had the race began, he may have helped the Canadian advance in the peloton.
Sparks come out of Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren.
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
McLaren deployed a low downforce rear wing that it used in the previous and this shot completely captures the wingtip vortex.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF21
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
We are able to see the vortices rising from the wing ideas in this picture of the Ferrari SF21, which ran with a comparatively excessive downforce association.
Fernando Alonso, Alpine A521
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
Alpine, for its half, has mounted a rear wing with much less downforce and with a clean, spoon-shaped curvature. Right here we will see the vortices rising from the rear wing of the A521 of Fernando Alonso.
Alpine A521 rear element
Photograph by: Uncredited
The French workforce additionally lately added these extra sections to the rear wing finish plate, to keep up rigidity.
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri AT02
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
Not solely does AlphaTauri’s low downforce wing function a a lot smaller “field” area, however the workforce additionally makes use of cutouts in the higher flap (at the finish of the endplate) to change the tip vortex, which we will see. right here.
Nicholas Latifi, Williams FW43B
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
Williams opted for a rear wing with comparatively excessive downforce in comparison with some of his rivals, which gave him higher efficiency in sector 2, however may have left him susceptible on the straights had the race began on Sunday.
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Alfa Romeo Racing C41 element
Photograph by: Uncredited
Alfa Romeo additionally opted for a higher wing angle than some of these forward of it, and needed to take issues even additional earlier than qualifying because it added a gurney on the wing’s trailing edge that was not initially current.
Mick Schumacher, Haas VF-21
Photograph by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Photographs
Haas had the rear wing with the highest stage of grid downforce because it appeared to maintain its automotive secure in sector 2. Nonetheless, it clearly paid the worth for this in sectors 1 and three.
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