samedi 21 juin 2008

FRANCE GP 2008: Technical news

Toyota TF108 - front-wing development

Like most teams, Toyota have introduced several aerodynamic refinements on its car for France. Although visually subtle, the number of small changes is impressive. On the TF108's front wing, for example, there are four differences to the one used in Canada. The main profile (1) features a more curved profile, with its extremities bending upwards more obviously towards the endplates. The rear edge of the flap has also changed (2), featuring a wider section, slightly reducing towards the centre, but still sporting an increased area compared to the previous version. The endplates now feature a completely different lower section, with a flat, knife-edge outer section (4) instead of the previous arched shaped one. The top-rear section of the endplates has changed too (3), now being flat and sporting a triangular, horizontal winglet on its rearmost edge, so as to better divert and split the airflow close to the front wheels, thus reducing turbulence.

Red Bull RB4 - bridge wing modifications

At the last round in Montreal Red Bull modified the RB4's bridge wing to prevent it from flexing, to comply with the latest FIA rule clarifications. For Magny-Cours, the team have revised the central section of this element (see inset). By increasing the depth of the bridge wing (red arrow), the team can boost downforce without altering the angle of the flap. In this way the car can still perform well at top speeds on the long straights, while at the same time have a sharper front end, better able to cope with the French track's twisty sections.

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