2008 FORMULA 1 TELEFONICA GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE : Technical News

Ferrari F2008 - revised sidepod chimneys and winglets

These Valencia changes take on more significance in light of Raikkonen's engine failure. The inner side of the chimney featured a series of gills, similar to the solution used in Monaco, while the small endplates on the winglets were altered in profile (inset, blue arrow) to guarantee adequate, obstruction-free venting of hot air through the gills. This was in an attempt to assure the best engine cooling in hot and humid weather conditions. It should be noted that the chimney and winglet on the right of Raikkonen's car were damaged and torn from the bodywork during the accident with the fuel hose at his second stop.

Ferrari F2008 - front brake ducts

In Valencia all the teams have increased the dimensions of their brake ducts, especially at the front. The reason for this is related to the very severe deceleration at the end of most of the track's straights. This makes the new circuit particularly tough on brakes and the high ambient temperatures make cooling the discs and pads very difficult. To avoid overheating problems, Ferrari have moved to the larger version of the F2008's ducts, only previously seen in Malaysia and Bahrain.

Ferrari F2008 - revised front winglets

Ferrari introduced a horizontal slit in their front winglets at last year's Belgian Grand Prix and then revised the design slightly in Japan. For the first time since then, the team have abandoned the slit in Valencia in order to increase the winglet's vertical surface area and thus maximise its ability to divert airflow. The function of the horizontal slit was to cut down on turbulence close to the sidepod inlets. The downside was a loss in quality and quantity of airflow directed towards the rear of the car. On a medium-fast circuit like Valencia, the revised vertical shields are more efficient in this respect, helping to extract the hot air from the top of the sidepod gills.

Honda RA108 - shark fin engine cover

Not strictly new - it was introduced in Hungary - but it is interesting to note that Honda, along with all the other teams that debuted this feature in Budapest, have retained it for Valencia, despite the obvious differences between the new Spanish street circuit and the Hungaroring. This solution provides better handling feeling to the drivers, a benefit considered quite important here on a new track, characterized by a slightly slippery surface and high kerbs, which are better avoided than driven over.

Red Bull RB4 - revised front bridge wing

An interesting change to the RB4 in Valencia is the introduction of a curved upper link (inset) connecting the bridge wing to the top of the nosecone, as on the McLaren. This solution guarantees adequate stiffness in the bridge assembly, so that it doesn't obviously flex. It also helps to cut weight, by allowing the use of a smaller bridge element, rather than a larger, stiffer item.

McLaren MP4-23 - revised front winglets

Like Ferrari, McLaren increased the vertical surface area of the MP4-23's sidepod winglets (see red arrow) in Valencia to maximise their ability to divert airflow. The winglets featured a completely vertical front edge as well as an increased height. This change increases the quantity of air diverted towards the car's rear end and also helps to improve the extraction of hot air from the top of the small venting gills.