Wouldn't that be against the rules though? The wings must go to high DF mode in case of failure, that looks like it would do the opposite on the front.
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Wouldn't that be against the rules though? The wings must go to high DF mode in case of failure, that looks like it would do the opposite on the front.
Ferrari has historically simply had a different packaging philosophy. They seem to prefer clean airflow to the rear wing to clean airflow over the floor, as well as a lower CoG. As a result they almost always have the tightest coke bottle area out of any team, which is presumably why they avoid centerline cooling. In order to achieve these packaging goals, they also try to build smaller engines than the competition.Badger wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:28Not necessarily a difference in cooling amount, just where you put it. Anecdotally I've always felt Merc were slightly sharper than Ferrari on packaging though.DJ Downforce wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:27
Does this suggest anything about the amount of cooling required for Merc vs Ferrari or is it simply a difference in cooling philosophy which achieve the same thing?
LESS centerline cooling, definitely not zero. Take a look back at 2014, most cars at launch had even smaller airboxes than the SF-26, at a considerably lower PU thermal efficiency... There's still a secondary intake at the base of the triangle behind the driver's helmet, and even though the airbox itself is considerably slimmer than the W17's, the bodywork right under/behind it (centerline above the engine and gearbox) is still definitely larger in volume...Badger wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:23One difference between the Ferrari and Merc is that SF26 has zero centerline cooling. As in previous generations the triangular intake seems to only feed the compressor and doesn't serve a cooling function. SF26 thus has slightly bigger sidepod intakes and maybe not as sleek sidepods as W17, but also less bulk in the center.
Perhaps these are hydraulically (or electric actuator) operated into X-mode (straightline mode) and spring return. Therefore any failure should see the front wing elements revert to Z-mode (cornering mode)?
well maybe they have a certain system... what I find weird is that RW and FW don't look synchronous in activation; maybe it is just the .gif; nevertheless x-mode on the front looked pretty low down forceC3.10.10 v. The design is such that failure of the system will result in it returning to its Corner Mode position.
There's definitely no radiators in the airbox, and the inlet only has one compartment going to the engine. Maybe there's something in the shoulders. Also I can't see a secondary inlet behind the driver, it's not visible in the pictures.HungarianRacer wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:36LESS centerline cooling, definitely not zero. Take a look back at 2014, most cars at launch had even smaller airboxes than the SF-26, at a considerably lower PU thermal efficiency... There's still a secondary intake at the base of the triangle behind the driver's helmet, and even though the airbox itself is considerably slimmer than the W17's, the bodywork right under/behind it (centerline above the engine and gearbox) is still definitely larger in volume...Badger wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:23One difference between the Ferrari and Merc is that SF26 has zero centerline cooling. As in previous generations the triangular intake seems to only feed the compressor and doesn't serve a cooling function. SF26 thus has slightly bigger sidepod intakes and maybe not as sleek sidepods as W17, but also less bulk in the center.
I guess they were just trying to check if everything worked: when rain is on track, FIA will allow teams to operate X and Z mode just for the front wing, therefore they must have a switch to run the mechanisms independentlyFrukostScones wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:45well maybe they have a certain system... what I find weird is that RW and FW don't look synchronous in activation; maybe it is just the .gif; nevertheless x-mode on the front looked pretty low down forceC3.10.10 v. The design is such that failure of the system will result in it returning to its Corner Mode position.
Badger wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:47There's definitely no radiators in the airbox, and the inlet only has one compartment going to the engine. Maybe there's something in the shoulders. Also I can't see a secondary inlet behind the driver, it's not visible in the pictures.HungarianRacer wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:36LESS centerline cooling, definitely not zero. Take a look back at 2014, most cars at launch had even smaller airboxes than the SF-26, at a considerably lower PU thermal efficiency... There's still a secondary intake at the base of the triangle behind the driver's helmet, and even though the airbox itself is considerably slimmer than the W17's, the bodywork right under/behind it (centerline above the engine and gearbox) is still definitely larger in volume...Badger wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026, 13:23One difference between the Ferrari and Merc is that SF26 has zero centerline cooling. As in previous generations the triangular intake seems to only feed the compressor and doesn't serve a cooling function. SF26 thus has slightly bigger sidepod intakes and maybe not as sleek sidepods as W17, but also less bulk in the center.
