SiLo wrote: ↑11 Mar 2022, 10:49
Can you explain this in more detail please? It seems Mercedes haven't really mounted much higher than they have had in previous seasons. The Ferrari design really interests me from an aero standpoint as I try and understand big vs small sidepods. Surely more flow over the top of the diffuser is always beneficial? Surely Ferrari are having to energise the air in an entirely different way to get it to the beam wing and top of the floor?
I honestly don't know how to explain that in more detail, but I'll try. Rear wing creates the biggest pressure difference both on top and bellow and it creates the strongest upwash of those three. Depending how aggressive the beam wing is, and it usually is, on it's own it could create stronger upwash than diffuser/floor. Upper element has more influence on the one bellow than the one bellow has on the upper element, due to their geometry and relative size.
More flow over the diffuser is always beneficial, but for the overall car (in my experience) it's not as beneficial as letting the rear wing and beam wing drive the floor. Here's a plot from Vyssion and jjn's CFD of 2022 car to see how the upwash angles change even when all 3 elements are there and working together.
From what I've seen, Mercedes has raised the engine cover bodywork between new and launch spec, let alone between seasons. Especially right behind the cockpit, where they are now guiding the air through...
I don't want to go OT with W13 discussion here, so I'll stop here