Ferrari is as soon as once more prepared to check its automobile on observe with Pirelli. For the second time in per week, because of Testing of Earlier Automobiles programmes, Ferrari has the chance to boost its know-how with the purple automobile. A number of kilometers to get acquainted with the crew whereas awaiting the beginning of the championship. In a current interview, former Crimson Bull engineer Adrian Newey described the upcoming season’s technical laws as essentially the most vital revolution he has witnessed in his lengthy profession in System 1.
The explanation lies in the truth that nothing from the present technology of automobiles will carry over to the brand new technology autos. In contrast to the 2022 laws, which reintroduced floor impact whereas retaining continuity in energy models, the 2026 guidelines is not going to observe this sample. The contribution of the electrical part within the energy models will likely be tripled, and the MGU-H will likely be retired.
Technical and political causes have led to a brand new structure for the V6 turbo-hybrid engines, necessitating extremely invasive aero-mechanical modifications for next-generation automobiles. On this context, one usually neglected side is the impression of the brand new Pirelli tires, which will even bear vital modifications. Subsequent yr, Pirelli’s tires will nonetheless use 18-inch rims, regardless of preliminary discussions about switching to 16-inch rims.
Nonetheless, the tread width will likely be decreased by 25 millimeters on the entrance and 30 millimeters on the rear. The purpose is obvious: tires are one of many parts that generate essentially the most rolling resistance, and lowering their frontal part will considerably enhance aerodynamic effectivity. As seen in 2016 and 2021, the tire provider must develop a brand new product with out having a automobile within the goal configuration. This problem is one thing Pirelli has efficiently addressed up to now.
They achieved this by counting on simulations and observe assessments with appropriately modified automobiles from the earlier technology. On-track testing started final yr on the Montmeló circuit in September with Aston Martin, utilizing their 2022 automobile modified to copy, as carefully as attainable, the conduct of future automobiles that can incorporate energetic aerodynamics. That is no simple activity, however it may vastly help the Italian tire producer in reaching its targets.
Pirelli’s testing of tires for the following regulatory period will proceed at Montmeló, Spain, on February 4 and 5. On these days, Ferrari and the reigning world champions, McLaren, will take part. These assessments are meticulously regulated underneath paragraph 10.10 of the sporting laws, which governs automobiles often called “mule automobiles”. Based on the principles, solely automobiles that participated within the World Championship throughout one of many 4 calendar years previous the present yr can be utilized.
A key issue is explicitly acknowledged within the sporting laws: throughout this sort of check, using experimental components, check software program, or part modifications that present a competitor with info not strictly associated to tire testing is strictly prohibited. Software program and part modifications are allowed provided that obligatory for the correct analysis of check parts or to finish the testing program, and, in any case, should be permitted by the Worldwide Federation earlier than being applied.
In essence, the sporting laws goal to control these assessments in order that they can not present insights unrelated to their supposed objective. The most important problem of those observe assessments issues the approximation of the load ranges of the 2026 automobiles. This worth is estimated utilizing automobiles that derive over 50% of their complete downforce from the ground. To this finish, in earlier assessments, groups have adjusted the setup of their mule automobiles and elevated using the drag discount system throughout laps, not simply within the conventional activation zones.
The purpose is to stability the load between the entrance and rear axles. Ferrari is getting ready to subject its two fundamental drivers over the two-day check, in addition to the motorsport division that competed for the Constructors’ Championship final season. The SF-24 has been suitably modified to “match” the brand new Pirelli tires. For the historic Italian crew, this will even be a possibility to proceed acclimating Lewis Hamilton to strategies and dealing procedures completely different from these he mastered throughout his lengthy tenure with the Silver Arrows.
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