The start of the final pre-season F1 test in Bahrain has already revealed a differing approach from the 11 teams.
Namely, this is to have less of a focus on analysing the performance of the power units and much more on progressively seeking performance, including through the introduction of new aerodynamic parts.
Chief among them is Ferrari, whose SF-26 ventured out for the morning of Day 1 in a deeply modified car, with the entire rear of the car covered in the flow-viz paint to assess the correlation of data between simulations and real-world.
Catching the eye was a rectangular aerodynamic appendage located exactly behind the engine exhaust pipe, which had a definitive element.
Ferrari calls it FTM, which has a dual function of increasing the stall of the rear wing on the straights and simultaneously creating negative pressure behind the diffuser.
It is an interesting feature because, as per the regulations, profiles more than 60mm behind the axle shafts are not allowed in that position.
Ferrari has designed its gearbox by moving the differential back as far as possible, with the reason for this choice being linked to the possibility in the regulations to mount aerodynamic appendages cantilevered from the rear axle within 60mm of it.
It is a design choice which is clever, as it cannot be copied by rivals, precisely because the maximum overhang limit of 60mm must be respected.
To achieve this, many rival teams would be forced into an impossible redesign of the internal mechanics and gearbox. Therefore, it is correct to emphasise that this constitutes a real aerodynamic upgrade for Ferrari, conceived already in the initial design phase of the SF-26.
The purposeful design of the gearbox will allow for further upgrades in this area, which is something Ferrari’s rivals cannot underestimate.
On Thursday in Bahrain, the team also unveiled a dramatic new upgrade to the rear-wing, with the design effectively ‘upside down.’
