Eight of Formula 1‘s 10 teams have brought a raft of performance upgrades for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, despite another Sprint weekend to contend with.
Ferrari, as expected, will introduce a new rear suspension – noted as triggering “re-optimisation of wishbone fairings” – which it hopes will enable a wider set-up range.
Rear corner and rear wing changes have also been brought to the circuit to maximise greater aerodynamic gains.
Reigning champions and current leaders McLaren are implementing one circuit-specific change, a low-downforce rear wing configuration for better drag.
Red Bull, arriving under the new stewardship of Laurent Mekies in place of Christian Horner, is armed with a fresh array of changes, five in total, on its RB21.
Alterations to the front wing and rear corner for performance are accompanied by a tweaked front suspension and a revised sidepod and engine cover for maximum reliability.
Similar front wing and rear corner changes have been added to Mercedes’ W16, in a bid to provide George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli with the tools to challenge in the Ardennes.
Aston Martin continues upgrade push
Aston Martin has also brought a stack of upgrades, with two front wing alterations to improve both loading and flow, the latter aided by a tweaked nose.
Rear and beam wings have also been changed with less load at the back in mind, to improve drag.
Speaking on Thursday about the upgrades, Fernando Alonso explained to media including Motorsport Week that the parts were initially going to be introduced for next week’s race in Hungary, but said “that there is this push from everyone in the factory to bring the new parts as soon as possible,” adding: “So, let’s see if we can test it properly.
“If we do and we opt to race with it, we will have a better feel after the weekend. If we cannot test it in FP1, maybe we opt not to fit it for qualifying.
“At the same time, I think we have the parc fermé open after the Sprint race, so we could use the first part of the weekend as a test and then race on Sunday with the best spec.
“So there are plenty of possibilities. I’m not concerned.”
However, Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell explained that the team has opted to not run a revised floor this weekend, while Alonso alone will run the new front wing.
Those particular rear-end changes have been replicated by Alpine, with the Anglo-French marque looking to get as much out of its A525 in a bid to avoid finishing last.
Rear corner and diffuser redesigns have been brought by Racing Bulls to improve flow conditioning, as well as a reprofiled rear wing to combat the Spa circuit.
Williams also chose to adopt new configurations, the FW47 boasting floor fence and edge changes, with a new sidepod inlet and adapted engine cover, to try and stave off its recurring overheating issues.
However, midfield rivals Haas have brought no new changes to the VF-25 for this weekend.
The American outfit is only one of two teams to take this approach, with Sauber also choosing to run the exact same car to Spa as it had last time out at Silverstone.
READ MORE – Ferrari coy on effects of suspension upgrade for F1 Belgian GP
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