Aston Martin unveiled a sensational rear wing on its Formula 1 car in Hungary on Friday. This goes against the new aerodynamic rules of 2022, but is allowed until further notice. If it stays that way and the wing turns out to be working well, it could soon be copied by other teams.
The wing stands out because of the raised edges on either side of the main transverse element. These raised edges are basically an extension of the wing endplates, as the sides of the rear wing are called. It is reminiscent of the rear wings as they were on the cars until last season.
The idea of the rear wings as they are planned for 2022 is that these raised edges would disappear. They create a lot of air vortices that disturb the air behind the car. That makes it harder for other cars to follow at close range.
The rules of this season are mainly aimed at making that possible. This makes overtaking easier and racing more attractive.
Rules clash with best way to make car faster
This is where the rules that serve the common purpose of the sport come into conflict with the best way to make a car itself faster. The rear wing works better with those raised edges.
They ensure that the high-pressure airflow over the wing is better maintained. Under the wing, the air flows much faster, so there is low pressure there. This pressure difference pushes the wing horizontally downwards, which in Formula 1 terms is called downforce.
Much has been done in the regulations to prevent these raised edges, but apparently not enough. For example, the connection between the sides of the wing (the wing endplates) and the two transverse elements must consist of a smooth movement with curves, so without sharp edges. Aston Martin has managed to comply with these rules, while there is now a raised edge.
In addition, the main lower transverse element is now much wider, because it sits against the wing endplates. So there is actually more wing. For example, the new rear wing should generate much more downforce, which is certainly useful on the twisty Hungaroring in Budapest.
In comparison, the rear wing on the Ferrari has no raised edges.
In comparison, the rear wing on the Ferrari has no raised edges.
Photo: Getty
Other teams can protest
The big question is whether it makes sense for the other teams to come up with something similar quickly. First, it remains to be proven whether it really works. Second, this solution seems particularly beneficial on tracks where a lot of downforce is required.
There are not many of these on the calendar anymore. Zandvoort and the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore are the two most important of these.
It remains to be seen how the FIA will react to this. He can judge that the wing is not “in the spirit of the regulations”. The organization can then quickly use a so-called technical directive come to clarify the regulations on this part. Other teams can also protest, on the same grounds.
