Ferrari this week examined new spray guards for its Formulation 1 automobiles because the FIA appears to deal with the issue of visibility on moist tracks.
The take a look at, which befell at Ferrari’s personal Fiorano circuit, noticed Arthur Leclerc (brother of present Ferrari F1 driver Charles) driving final 12 months’s race automobile with the experimental spray guards whereas Ferrari F1 reserve driver Oliver Bearman adopted within the group’s 2024 F1 automobile.
The spray guards primarily add fenders to the open-wheel F1 automobiles. They’ve two holes on the entrance however are full open on the again. Pictures present that two variations have been examined: one with stable sides, and one with spoke-like sides. Even with the spray guards fitted, the images additionally present the lead automobile throwing up a major quantity of spray.
As famous by Motorsport.com, the take a look at was organized by the FIA, which is spray guards as an answer for bettering visibility of following automobiles throughout wet on-track periods. Even when there is not sufficient standing water on the monitor to trigger issues about hydroplaning, spray can restrict drivers’ visibility, inflicting periods to be cancelled or resulting in crashes.
Formulation 1 spray guard testing – Picture by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Photos
An earlier model of the spray guards have been examined at a moist Silverstone Circuit final 12 months with Mercedes-Benz AMG reserve driver Mick Schumacher. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri drove behind Schumacher to check visibility. Whereas no images of that take a look at have been launched, 3D photos launched by the FIA confirmed a design that lined much less of the wheel than the spray guards examined at Fiorano, in line with Motorsport.com.
F1 automobiles already obtained a radical visible overhaul for 2022, however the adoption of those spray guards may change their look even additional—on wet days, no less than.
Equally, F1 additionally adopted the Halo cockpit safety system a couple of years again to enhance crash security.