Formula 1’s 2024 launch season is well underway, and teams and journalists are eagerly searching for the crucial changes and advancements. Haas’s VF-24 reveal did not showcase much innovation, as they wanted to keep their designs under wraps. However, other teams are expected to reveal more in the coming weeks. The key is knowing where to look. Red Bull’s effective underfloor design, with powerful ground effect venturi tunnels, sets them apart from the competition. The intricate topography of their underfloor was evident when Sergio Perez crashed in Monaco, revealing the level of detail. Other teams have been studying how to achieve similar mastery in their underfloor designs.
When the 2024 cars are unveiled, one area to pay attention to is the sidepods. The interaction between the sidepods, floor edges, and underfloor is crucial in this generation of cars. It is expected that more teams will adopt the Red Bull-style ‘downwash’ sidepod design, which involves sweeping the airflow downwards. Some teams, like Alpine, have already incorporated a more pronounced channel in their sidepods. Ferrari, in particular, is an interesting case as they plan to make a significant shift in their sidepod design for 2024. The packaging of the sidepods to maximize airflow around the sides will also vary among teams.
Another important design trend to watch is the location of the driver in the car. While it may appear similar at first glance, there were variations last year in how far back the drivers sat due to cockpit positioning. Lewis Hamilton’s complaints about sitting too far forward in the Mercedes grabbed headlines, as it affected his confidence in the car’s rear-end feel. There may be some variation in this area, with Mercedes being a team to closely observe.
The choice between pushrod and pullrod suspension configurations is another noticeable design decision in the new F1 cars. Red Bull and McLaren were the only teams to opt for the combination of pullrod front suspension and pushrod rear suspension in 2023. The decision between the two configurations primarily revolves around aerodynamics rather than mechanical considerations. The impact on the airflow and suspension wishbones is significant, and teams may make changes this year to optimize their performance.
The mastery of platform control, which involves the interaction between aerodynamics and mechanical characteristics, is crucial in maximizing the performance of ground effect F1 cars. Red Bull has shown expertise in this area, with anti-dive at the front suspension and anti-squat geometry at the rear suspension. Other teams, such as Mercedes, have also made changes to increase anti-dive and improve platform control. However, there are differing opinions on the importance of suspension setup, with Ferrari questioning its significance.
While F1’s regulations are highly prescriptive, there is still room for innovation and surprises in the small details. Teams will continue to strive for advancements and unique ideas, even if they may not be immediately noticeable. Red Bull’s evolutionary car has set the direction for others, but there is always the possibility of a surprise innovation emerging. The launch versions of the cars may hide some new ideas that will be revealed as the season progresses.