Formula 1's new technical regulations for 2022 left many fearing the end of design variance and a grand prix grid full of identikit cars.
However, despite some clearly more prescriptive regulations, there were distinct differences between each machine, with the sidepods, in particular, offering a wide variety of design solutions.
Alpine realised that with its aerodynamic objectives being met by the front portion of the sidepod, it could make better use of the upper bodywork of the sidepod to feed the airflow into the desired locations downstream. Ferrari did make some changes to the layout during 2022, albeit these were topographic optimisations, rather than a wide sweeping conceptual shift.
The team had designed the solution in such a way that when the duct was open it would help feed airflow down its shortened ramp to the floor behind, but it could also close the duct off too, increasing cooling capacity.Williams clearly realised quite early on that its concept wasn't going to provide the kind of performance it was looking for, but couldn't implement its own version of the longer downwash ramp until Silverstone.
The rest of the bodywork clung tightly to the components housed within, in much the same way all teams had proceeded to shrink-wrap their bodywork under the guise of the previous regulatory era. The deeper water slide solution is a prime example of how F1 teams take an idea and then move the needle when incorporating it themselves.
Mercedes' reluctance to accept that the zeropod concept was flawed, and continuing with it for the start of 2023, resulted in the team having to take even more of a Frakenpod approach when it did finally make the switch at the Monaco Grand Prix. And, while those in chasing pack have experimented with waterslide-style solutions, Red Bull has held its nerve thus far, as it continues to employ a more benign ramp in its bodywork down to the rear of their floor.
It's clear that there's now one main development route that the teams are taking but that's not to say that they're all doing the same thing. In fact, it's far from it and it will be interesting to see which of these competing solutions teams choose going forward and if there are more offshoots from the main development tree.The prevailing regulations tend to guide teams down certain design paths but more often than not they will find different answers to the same questions.
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