As Sakhir is a medium-to-fast track, it is important to minimise the drag generated by the various aerodynamic surfaces impacting the airflow passing over the car. Even the smallest parts can produce drag that affects a car's straight-line performance, hence BMW Sauber's changes to the barge boards...
In Malaysia we looked at Renault's semi-circular vent over the R28's damper housing. In Bahrain the Ferrari sported a similar, perhaps slightly more complex, feature. At the end of the F2008's very short and narrow engine cover we can see three separate vents (green arrows). The central one relates...
Along with Ferrari, Toyota were the other team to test in Bahrain earlier in the year. However, the Japanese team have taken a very different route to the world champions with their front wing revisions for Sakhir. Their design has a flap which is wider at its extremities (red arrows), ending with a...
At the start of the season teams are always eager to get a close look at their rivals' cars and discover how their design concepts have been translated into reality. After its blistering start to the year, the BMW's secrets have come in for particular scrutiny. This car is, without doubt, very...
For the same reasons described in the article on Ferrari's front wing changes for Bahrain, the team have also introduced a new profile at the rear. It has a flat central section, with the outer extremities bending noticeably upwards (yellow arrow). The main advantage of this configuration is that it...
Bahrain is a dramatically different circuit to the first two rounds of the year in Australia and Malaysia. Although it sports a very twisty central section, it's a medium-fast circuit with an average speed exceeding 220km/h. This calls for a completely different aero set-up, so as to maximise...
