Red Bull have got a series of positive results after trying out a new underfloor design on their RB18 – has it reduced the effects of porpoising?
Porpoising has been a severe issue for all F1 teams across the grid – with multiple drivers pointing out the problem after every Grand Prix. However, Red Bull has not been significantly compromised by the phenomenon and it’s evident in their dominating performances.
RB18’s underfloor design – which is notably different in both concept and detail to that of their main rivals Ferrari – is generating a lot of attention now that more of it has been revealed following Sergio Perez’s accident in Monaco qualifying.
F1 teams are facing challenges to control the extreme effects of porpoising. It can be triggered by bumps or the car simply running too low a ride height. Once triggered, the car starts bouncing up and down before the driver hits the brakes slowing down significantly. Teams were aware it might happen but none expected it to be so regular or extreme. Most technical directors believe it can be fixed with updates that were not part of the original development plans.
How does the new underfloor design help Red Bull to counter porpoising?
The Red Bull floor is visibly a more complex and sophisticated design than those on other cars. It is probably not a coincidence that it is relatively immune to porpoising yet still creates good downforce.
The most significant aspect of its design is how its tunnel roof appears to be higher and more arched than those of other floors. There are several other highly distinctive features of the Red Bull floor.
There are at least two distinct ‘mini-venturis’ within the tunnel – where the height changes to form diffusers to re-energise the airflow. Red Bull are not unique in this, but it’s another detail adding to the efficiency of the Red Bull underfloor.
Just at the point where the floor begins to taper inwards ahead of the rear wheels, there is what has been termed an ‘ice-skate’. The regulations allow a floor mini-wing ahead of the rear wheels, but don’t specify that it must be above the floor. Red Bull have interpreted this to form an additional strake – in metal to make it less vulnerable – on the underfloor there to help channel the air more aggressively towards the exit of the tunnel.
One has to admit that the modified underfloor design on the RB18 is certainly assisting Red Bull drivers to deliver desired results!
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