Red Bull and Haas are the headlines for technical updates brought to the third round of Formula 1 season at the Japanese Grand Prix.
While there are limited new parts brought by the team at the start of the triple header, which also incorporates the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds, Red Bull is upgrading performance with fine tuning in the rear suspension. Red Bull describes it as “a mild fix to lower the wishbone shroud and fairing it to the rear wheel bodywork,” and should improve the flow around the rear brake duct.
There will also be adaptation to the rear brake engine cover and outlet duct, but these will be more targeted in upcoming races, including the blanking option for Suzuka, which will be low in temperatures this weekend.
Haas has one important update to bring new floors at home races for its new technology partner Toyota, and its central floor has been reshaped. The team says it’s about improving stability when the car is driving at low ride heights in high speed corners. This allowed us to use the previous specifications on smoother surfaces in China to earn double points more effectively.
With Racing Bulls, there is a halo shroud update that affects rear wing performance and downstream floors, and Williams has a new front wing in Japan. The front wing flap and end plate updates work in combination, improving front wheel wake control.
Last year’s 10th place team stakes will be the first race weekend for new team principal Jonathan Wheatley. Like Haas, there are new floors that focus on upgrades to floor fences, overboard floors and diffusers, but fresh rear wings increase overall efficiency and improve the cleanliness of the rear wing assembly.
The stakes will also have a new beamwing this weekend, with teams adding top elements to their existing main wings to increase the overall load.