From HUNGARORING (HUNGARY)
On the eve of the first free practice sessions, the FIA released the list of updates introduced by the teams for the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. As the Hungaroring is a very particular high-downforce circuit among those on the calendar, several teams bring various ad hoc solutions here to generate more downforce; however, as already anticipated on Thursday, there are also substantial update packages.
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Aston Martin with revolutionary updates
The team presenting in Hungary with the most significant interventions on their car is Aston Martin. In the English team’s garage, there’s no talk of an evolution of the AMR26, but a true revolution: 16 updates have been introduced on the Hungarian track, with mechanics even having to risk breaking curfew to complete the car’s assembly.
The longer, thinner nose and a reshaped front wing along with the side endplates, have been grouped into a single package to improve the performance of the front of the car in combination with the other updates. In addition, the external front brake ducts have been shaped to integrate with the wing and better manage airflow around it.
Four updates, on the other hand, have been grouped into a single package to increase downforce on the floor, whose structure has undergone modifications to all permitted surfaces, as well as the leading edge flaps, the floor edge in front of the rear wheels, and the diffuser.
In addition to this, there are also transformations for the side air intakes and the engine cover section, which have undergone “slight modifications”. As for the rear wing, its dimensions have been revised to try to increase cornering downforce while reducing drag on straights, in line with the rest of the car’s updates.
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Ferrari, Macarena confirmed. No real updates for Mercedes
Given the characteristics of the Hungarian circuit, as mentioned, numerous teams have brought specific solutions for the rear wing. Mercedes, for example, has added an additional central flap and a tail flap – integrated into the rear wing support – to increase downforce and drag, as well as a wider engine cover opening to improve power unit cooling.
Ferrari, on the other hand, brings an evolved Macarena for medium-to-high downforce tracks, with the addition of several flaps in the central part while maintaining the same profile of the main elements.
McLaren, on the other hand, tries to follow Ferrari’s philosophy by testing in FP1 not only its first rotating rear wing, but also a new floor that takes inspiration from the SF-26. Finally, Red Bull, which tries again with its Macarena revised after the technical problems suffered by Verstappen in Austria and Silverstone.
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