Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari reveal upgrades ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull in Bahrain — Photo: © LAT Images

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari reveal upgrades ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

Rear wings and cooling systems a priority

Ian Parkes

Friday 25 March 2022 14:15

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have all outlined the changes made to the bodywork of their cars ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

As part of a new initiative implemented by the FIA for this season, all teams are now required to detail the specific modifications on their cars prior to a race weekend, and the reasons for those changes.

Mercedes, in particular, has updated its front and rear wings, the latter component of which team principal Toto Wolff said he would "take to chainsaw" to in order to help solve the W13's high-drag performance in the season-opening race in Bahrain.

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To that end, for the race around the fastest street track on the calendar, Mercedes has confirmed it has a couple of rear-wing flap trim options which reduce downforce and drag.

It also has trims to the upper flap of the front wing that helps reduce aero balance, namely the proportion of front downforce, by up to two per cent.

Finally, there is also a bigger rear louvre cooling panel to cover for the possibility of particularly hot conditions over the weekend, with Sunday's race set for such climes.

Red Bull, meanwhile, has confirmed it has various rear- and beam-wing options, with the engineering team to choose the most suitable for the race, both of which require new rear-wing endplates as stipulated by the regulations.

Early championship leaders Ferrari has also adapted its rear wing, claiming it has 'depowered its profile to adapt to the track layout and efficiency requirements'.

The majority of the remaining teams have also made changes to their rear wings, with the exception of McLaren and Haas whose cars are unaltered from Bahrain.

For McLaren, such a decision is unusual given the inefficiencies of its car that were exposed in Bahrain.