Aston Martin will introduce a significant upgrade package this weekend, mainly centered on a change in philosophy for the sidepods. In doing so the team needed to make changes to the internal makeup of the ancillaries too, with the radiators and coolers housed within the sidepods now more steeply angled than they have been so far this season.
The forward section of the AMR22’s sidepod bodywork and inlet have been heavily revised to cater for the changes that will appear downstream.
A glance at the floor and sidepod bodywork on the Alfa Romeo C42, which has already been upgraded throughout the course of the opening few races of the season and is likely to receive more attention this weekend when the team installs new parts.
A look at the Alfa Romeo C42’s high downforce rear wing which you’ll also note, in order to save weight, has as little paint on it as possible without compromising the overall sponsorship message.
Rearward shot of the Mercedes W13 with transportation wheels mounted on it as it’s transferred from the team’s transporter to the pitlane.
A close-up of Mercedes’ new floor for the Spanish Grand Prix, which includes a scythe-like floor edge wing.
A new high downforce rear wing for Ferrari for the Spanish GP, which has a wider midsection for the mainplane, whilst the outer portion of the upper flap and endplate transition also has a deeper chord.
McLaren struggled in the opening races with overheating front brakes. As a consequence, the disc shroud was changed for a Titanium variant, something it has resolved with upgrades this weekend, as it returns to a carbonfibre version.
An overview of the sidepod and engine cover bodywork of the Ferrari F1-75, something that’s expected to be changed in the upgrade package the team will run this weekend.
A close-up of the new bib winglet on the Mercedes W13 this weekend (red arrow).
The new bib winglet can also be seen in this shot of the W13 but without the lower section installed we’re also granted a view of the bib stays too.
A look at the Mercedes W13’s floor before it’s mounted to the car, which gives a good impression of how much the geometry of the tunnels alters across their span, along with how the strakes are designed alongside it.
Red Bull has opted for a high downforce configuration rear wing as its opening gambit when the cars roll out for Free Practice on Friday, with the team then likely to assess how it needs to line up compared with rivals.
A close-up of the Red Bull RB18’s front end and, in particular, showing the detail of the steering assembly.
The front wings that await McLaren as the team prepares for action in Barcelona.
A forward view of the McLaren MCL36 front wing, which has the mainplane set below and ahead of the nose.
Alpine with a higher downforce rear wing than used in Miami, which features a deeper spoon-shaped central section and a Gurney on the upper element and the upper beam wing element. Also note the cutout in the endplate transition also returns.
A close-up of the rear wing mounted on the AlphaTauri AT03 which has had the white paint removed to try and help the team get closer to the minimum weight target.
A close up of the AlphaTauri AT03’s front brake and suspension assembly. The brake disc fairing now has reflective material stuck to the carbonfibre housing to help limit heat transfer.
We’re also treated to a view of the AlphaTauri AT03’s inboard suspension elements as the car is constructed by the mechanics.
The Aston Martin AMR22’s rear brake assembly without the outer brake drum bodywork in place reveals some of the detail surrounding how the airflow is channeled to the caliper and disc.
Another look at the revised inner makeup of the McLaren MCL36’s brake assembly, with a special mention for the crossover pipework that feeds the caliper.
Similar solutions are being employed at the rear of the car too, albeit more specific to the demands of the brake disc and caliper.
Another look at Ferrari’s high downforce offering for the Spanish GP.
The front brake assembly on the Red Bull RB18, which features an enclosure for the brake disc to help manage heat transfer.
An overview of the Mercedes W13 front end while the car is still being put together, which allows us to see the internal makeup of the brake assembly.
A look under the covers of the Red Bull RB18, with the layout of the radiators and the coolers inside the sidepod and over the power unit exposed.
A wider angle view also gives us a look at the high downforce rear wing and rear brake assembly.
Alfa Romeo is another team that have enclosed its brake disc this season in order to try and alter the heat transfer between the brakes and the wheel rim.
Another look at Alfa Romeo’s rear wing which returns to a full-size upper flap and trailing edge Gurney which were both cut away in Miami to help reduce load and drag.
A look at the Alfa Romeo C42’s front brake assembly from the inside, also note the steering arm detail at the inboard end as the fairing is left slightly adrift.
A close-up of the Mercedes W13’s DRS actuator owing to the fairing being removed.
