Ferrari is as soon as once more prepared to check its automotive on observe with Pirelli. For the second time in per week, due to Testing of Earlier Automobiles programmes, Ferrari has the chance to boost its know-how with the pink automotive. A number of kilometers to get conversant in the workforce whereas awaiting the beginning of the championship. In a latest interview, former Pink Bull engineer Adrian Newey described the upcoming season’s technical rules as essentially the most vital revolution he has witnessed in his lengthy profession in Formulation 1.
The explanation lies in the truth that nothing from the present technology of automobiles will carry over to the brand new technology automobiles. In contrast to the 2022 rules, which reintroduced floor impact whereas retaining continuity in energy items, the 2026 guidelines won’t comply with this sample. The contribution of the electrical element within the energy items can be tripled, and the MGU-H can be retired.
Technical and political causes have led to a brand new structure for the V6 turbo-hybrid engines, necessitating extremely invasive aero-mechanical modifications for next-generation automobiles. On this context, one typically ignored facet is the affect of the brand new Pirelli tires, which will even endure vital modifications. Subsequent yr, Pirelli’s tires will nonetheless use 18-inch rims, regardless of preliminary discussions about switching to 16-inch rims.
Nevertheless, the tread width can be diminished by 25 millimeters on the entrance and 30 millimeters on the rear. The objective is obvious: tires are one of many elements that generate essentially the most rolling resistance, and decreasing their frontal part will considerably enhance aerodynamic effectivity. As seen in 2016 and 2021, the tire provider must develop a brand new product with out having a automotive within the goal configuration. This problem is one thing Pirelli has efficiently addressed up to now.
They completed this by counting on simulations and observe checks with appropriately modified automobiles from the earlier technology. On-track testing started final yr on the Montmeló circuit in September with Aston Martin, utilizing their 2022 automotive modified to copy, as intently as attainable, the conduct of future automobiles that can incorporate energetic aerodynamics. That is no simple process, however it might enormously help the Italian tire producer in reaching its targets.
Pirelli’s testing of tires for the subsequent regulatory period will proceed at Montmeló, Spain, on February 4 and 5. On these days, Ferrari and the reigning world champions, McLaren, will take part. These checks are meticulously regulated below paragraph 10.10 of the sporting rules, which governs automobiles often known as “mule automobiles”. In keeping with the foundations, solely automobiles that participated within the World Championship throughout one of many 4 calendar years previous the present yr can be utilized.
A key issue is explicitly said within the sporting rules: throughout the sort of check, using experimental components, check software program, or element modifications that present a competitor with data not strictly associated to tire testing is strictly prohibited. Software program and element modifications are allowed provided that vital for the correct analysis of check parts or to finish the testing program, and, in any case, have to be accepted by the Worldwide Federation earlier than being applied.
In essence, the sporting rules goal to control these checks in order that they can’t present insights unrelated to their supposed goal. The most important problem of those observe checks considerations the approximation of the load ranges of the 2026 automobiles. This worth is estimated utilizing automobiles that derive over 50% of their whole downforce from the ground. To this finish, in earlier checks, groups have adjusted the setup of their mule automobiles and elevated using the drag discount system throughout laps, not simply within the conventional activation zones.
The objective is to steadiness the load between the entrance and rear axles. Ferrari is making ready to area its two principal drivers over the two-day check, in addition to the motorsport division that competed for the Constructors’ Championship final season. The SF-24 has been suitably modified to “match” the brand new Pirelli tires. For the historic Italian workforce, this will even be a chance to proceed acclimating Lewis Hamilton to strategies and dealing procedures totally different from these he mastered throughout his lengthy tenure with the Silver Arrows.
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