The new rules prescribe way more stringent tests, so it will likely bend less than last year, when the edge flexibility was already exploited. Moreover, as mentioned above, the edge flex was not always a good thing, as it helps sealing the floor mainly at high speeds, contributing to porpoising issues.ryaan2904 wrote: ↑30 Jan 2023, 04:42Even if it does, and it most likely will, overall the rule change would still cost you low speed downforce. Bending bodywork happens only at high speeds mostly.deadhead wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 20:19Can the edge of the floor, dare I say, bend and help with the seal? Those long stakes Mercedes were running last year can be adjusted to let the edge of the floor get closer to the track..ryaan2904 wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 15:10
Can't say anything about the accuracy of chrono gp's animations, but they are right about one thing: the new floor will cause more air infiltration from the sides. The only way teams have handled that is via either vortex creation or downwashing bodywork. With the rules prohibiting sharp edges to generate outwash, the downwashing bodywork remains the only option. So there is a chance that ferrari might go the RB18 route.
If it happens, ferrari will already start the season with a disadvantage to RB since they've had an year's worth of extra experience with it.
For sealing the floor and avoiding porpoising at the same time they will in my opinion use combinations of (1) outwash generated by floor fences and air extracted laterally mid-car, (2) sidepodes shape, (3) vortex generation from floor edges and (4) bending floor edges.