The Formula One season of 2024 is entering into the eleventh hour with six rounds to go. After a one-sided 2023, the F1 fans were awaiting some stiff competition for the World Championship. However, in the first few races, Red Bull continued its dominance. Later, when the defending champions got entangled in internal chaos, McLaren grabbed teh opportunity to shift the power axis. As a result, Red Bull was pushed into a corner while McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes started competing for the victories.
As the F1 convoy reaches the United States, the race for the world title is getting intense. Therefore, the front runners McLaren and Red Bull have introduced mega upgrades for the Austin GP. Moreover, Mercedes and other F1 teams have also revealed the final trick as the 2024 season heads towards its end.
Mercedes, McLaren, And Red Bull Introduces MEGA Upgrades To Circuit Of The Americas
The defending champions, Red Bull, are struggling to regain the top spot on the Constructors Standing. However, to make this possible, the team has revised its floor-edge wing to improve the local load. The side pods connecting with the Coke bottle have also been reprofiled. On the other hand, McLaren, the favorite to defeat Red Bull, has a significant raft upgrade with a reassessment of the front wings and frontal area. This change aims to improve the downstream to increase the overall aerodynamic load. To support the new aero design, McLaren has also adjusted suspension sheathing.
Meanwhile, Mercedes, the mid-field team, hopes to bid farewell to Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton. Therefore, the team has introduced a significant upgrade around its aerodynamic domain. The floor-edge wings, floor vanes, and brakes are upgraded. An additional vane is provided for the forward floor, and reprofiled fences are used to squeeze maximum performance. The twist in front wing flaps is reduced, and an extra cooling inlet is added.
Moreover, Aston Martin has also introduced a major upgrade around the floor body. The geometry of the underfloor has been altered to tweak the floor edge. Additionally, a new coke section and shoulder area are also used. All the other teams have stuck to a basic approach of including circuit-specific changes.
Christian Horner Opens Up About Red Bull Front Bib Conundrum
Christian Horner recently addressed the concerns surrounding the front bib situation in an interview with SkySports, emphasizing that it is not an issue for Red Bull. He clarified that the car comprises approximately 600 fully adjustable components, all of which teams can modify as needed.
However, the regulations prohibit any adjustments during the parc ferme period, and Horner insisted that Red Bull has adhered to these rules. He pointed out that changing elements like the floor stay, roll bar, or pushrod length would be far simpler than attempting to modify the front bib.
Horner further reassured fans and the public by stating that Red Bull’s car has been subject to more scrutiny than any other in the paddock over the past three years. With cameras and scrutineers closely monitoring the vehicles, he expressed confidence in the team’s compliance with regulations.