Ferrari is as soon as once more prepared to check its automobile on monitor with Pirelli. For the second time in every week, due to Testing of Earlier Vehicles programmes, Ferrari has the chance to reinforce its know-how with the pink automobile. A couple of kilometers to get conversant in the crew 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 probably the most important revolution he has witnessed in his lengthy profession in Components 1.
The rationale lies in the truth that nothing from the present era of automobiles will carry over to the brand new era autos. In contrast to the 2022 rules, which reintroduced floor impact whereas retaining continuity in energy models, the 2026 guidelines is not going to observe this sample. The contribution of the electrical element within the energy models shall be tripled, and the MGU-H shall 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 influence of the brand new Pirelli tires, which will even bear important adjustments. Subsequent yr, Pirelli’s tires will nonetheless use 18-inch rims, regardless of preliminary discussions about switching to 16-inch rims.
Nonetheless, the tread width shall be decreased by 25 millimeters on the entrance and 30 millimeters on the rear. The aim is evident: tires are one of many elements that generate probably the most rolling resistance, and decreasing their frontal part will considerably enhance aerodynamic effectivity. As seen in 2016 and 2021, the tire provider should develop a brand new product with out having a automobile within the goal configuration. This problem is one thing Pirelli has efficiently addressed up to now.
They achieved this by counting on simulations and monitor assessments with appropriately modified automobiles from the earlier era. On-track testing started final yr on the Montmeló circuit in September with Aston Martin, utilizing their 2022 automobile modified to copy, as carefully as attainable, the conduct of future automobiles that can incorporate lively aerodynamics. That is no simple process, however it could possibly enormously help the Italian tire producer in reaching its objectives.
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 assessments are meticulously regulated below paragraph 10.10 of the sporting rules, which governs automobiles generally known as “mule automobiles”. In accordance with the principles, 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 any such check, using experimental components, check software program, or element modifications that present a competitor with info not strictly associated to tire testing is strictly prohibited. Software program and element modifications are allowed provided that needed for the correct analysis of check parts or to finish the testing program, and, in any case, should be permitted by the Worldwide Federation earlier than being carried out.
In essence, the sporting rules goal to control these assessments in order that they can’t present insights unrelated to their meant objective. The key problem of those monitor assessments issues the approximation of the load ranges of the 2026 automobiles. This worth is estimated utilizing automobiles that derive over 50% of their complete downforce from the ground. To this finish, in earlier assessments, 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 aim is to stability the load between the entrance and rear axles. Ferrari is making ready to discipline its two primary 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 crew, this will even be a chance to proceed acclimating Lewis Hamilton to strategies and dealing procedures completely different from these he mastered throughout his lengthy tenure with the Silver Arrows.
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