The new rear wing presented by those commanded by Lawrence Stroll in Hungary caught the attention of the rest of the teams on the grid, raising doubts about a possible illegality that Aston Martin categorically denies with data and collaboration from the FIA.
The new generation of single-seaters that Formula 1 has premiered in 2022 was designed with several objectives in mind, among them that of enabling the drivers to follow each other on the track without a sudden loss of downforce causing them to suffer in full battle, in addition from excessive tire wear.
Each of the ten teams that make up the grid of the premier category of motorsports took on the task of trying to find the best technical solutionpredicting that, with the passing of the races, the designs would converge towards the most successful, and so it has been.
“We have been able to show, with simulations, that […] we complied with the full technical regulation»
With half a season still to go, Aston Martin caught the attention of its rivals in Hungary, just before the summer break, with a striking rear spoiler that did not look anything like those presented to date… which sparked the controversy.
spirit of the norm
The simplicity of the aerodynamics of these new single-seaters is based on a cleaner design that generates less turbulence to pursuers than its predecessors, something that Aston Martin have sought to avoid in some way.
“We made sure it was okay, because the intent of the rules is there,” he confessed. Tom McCullough, Aston Martin Performance Director. “We have been able to show, with simulations, that it has no material effect at all. The whole philosophy of the car is very dominant, the idea of the wing is a very small feature,’ he stressed.
The British engineer assured that they have passed «months mulling over the concept with the FIA technical department from our initial interpretation and understanding to the approval of the FIA”, denying that it was a simple task.
“Then we got to the point where, once we had gone through several loops, back and forth, they agreed that we were in full compliance with the technical regulations,” McCullough continued.
“Then we decided to do it, so it took a while to get to the track. Once you have approval, it is designed and manufactured. Then you present the designs before the race weekend, and the FIA has to make sure once again that they are still happy with them, and finally you put it on the car,’ he concluded.
Font: motorsport.com