Breaking news
Formula 1 Belgian GP
Ferrari brings suspension, aero mods to Spa
Ferrari has introduced a detailed update to its SF70H for the Belgian Grand Prix as it bids to take the challenge at the Spa-Francorchamps track.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Aug 24, 2017, 4:53 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
With the Maranello outfit having struggled to match its main title rival on high-speed circuits like Spa, many predict that it is Mercedes that will hold the edge when the F1 season resumes this weekend.
But after its 1-2 finish in Hungary last time out, Ferrari has shown how determined it is to turn the situation around with some interesting tweaks after the summer break.
New suspension
Giorgio Piola's exclusive photographs from the preparation day at Spa show that Ferrari will be running with a new front suspension – featuring a third damper.
It is understood this new configuration was trialled in the post-Hungarian Grand Prix test, with the team making the changes in a bid to help better manage its ride-height and rake angle.
As the image above show, it is possible to see a new third shock absorber as well as a larger and more threaded spring – plus numerous components that are likely intended to help gather data during Friday practice.
It is likely that the team will hope that better management of the rake angle will help produce a lower drag for Spa's long straights without compromising its cornering performance.
Ferrari SF70H front suspension
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Aerodynamic changes
As well as the changes to the suspension, Ferrari has made some revisions to its wings and floor too.
Ferrari SF70H, detail front wing
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
The front wing and the endplate have been re-profiled to make it better suited for the lower drag demands of Spa, while at the rear of the car, Ferrari has a new configuration of holes ahead of the rear wheel.
Instead of the seven holes that were present in Hungary, Ferrari will be running with just six holes this weekend – plus the addition of an extra bodywork 'handle' element similar to what which Mercedes has been using since the Spanish Grand Prix.
Ferrari SF70H, detail front wing
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Vettel hopes that the improvements Ferrari has made, allied to the aggressive choice of tyres Pirelli is bringing, should deliver the team a better result than it produced at the British Grand Prix last month.
"If we had to race at Silverstone again, we would do a lot better," he said. "We just didn't get a good weekend all together. It's true Mercedes was very strong there. The fact that it's likely to be similar here obviously for us makes it fairly straightforward.
"I think we have only to gain. Because of how strong they were at Silverstone and some similarities, they are the favourites going into here. But we don't want to settle behind them, we want to attack."
Additional reporting by Lawrence Barretto
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Hamilton: Vettel doesn't want to be my teammate
Next article "Suck my balls" bust-up doesn't need "hugging session" - Steiner
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Ferrari
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
What the Brazilian GP revealed about F1's ability to cope with rain
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 d
What the Brazilian GP revealed about F1's ability to cope with rain
Latest news
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
13 min
Sebastien Bourdais hopes latest WEC success will remind teams of his value
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe