Bite-size tech: Preparations and novelties

Even this late in the season it is still fun to identify areas of the machines that up until now have gone unnoticed or unreported and this round of the championship is no exception.

The Sauber C35 seen here, almost naked, displays an open section in the middle of the keel that we have yet to discuss. To be noted is the inverted metal T-bar, which although exposed in this image is ordinarily covered by another carbon panel when the construction work is complete.

This is where the splitter is mounted to and is designed to give some freedom of movement for the plank to not scrape along the ground when the car is at its full range of movement.

It seems that this area of the car was intentionally left so that changes could be made later in the season, so as that another crash test not need to be passed but rather the ability for connecting parts to be changed instead.

Mechanics working on the McLaren MP4-31

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The build-up of the MP4-31 sees the gearbox adrift from Honda’s power unit and shows several interesting details.

Firstly, with the brake drum removed, we can see all of the fins mounted to the inner vertical fence, used to control the wake generated by the rear tyre and upwash from the outer section of the diffuser.

You’ll note that the lowest two of these fins have slots in a similar vein to the design employed on McLaren’s front wing.

Secondly, we can see the effort that has been made to expose the area under the crash structure, maximising how air sweeps around the coke bottle region and over the diffuser to improve performance.

The area is punctuated by the starter motor hole which is accessed by a moveable flap insider the central diffuser wall when it’s fitted to the car.

Lastly, astride the crash structure and between the upper rear wishbone we can see the rear wing mounting support, which intersects with the exhaust a design concept first brought to the table by Toro Rosso in 2015.

You'll also note that a bevelled section has been applied near the support's trailing edge which will clearly have an impact on the already modified exhaust plume.