McLaren will finally put into action its long-awaited ‘H-wing’ at the Italian Grand Prix of Formula 1. The novelty on the rear wing, similar to the ‘macarena wing’ concept already used by some other teams, arrives precisely in Monza, a circuit where speed on the straights will play a very important role.
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The device was first tested by the team during TL1 in Hungary, but was not used in the qualifying session or the race that weekend. Now, McLaren intends to resort to the solution to work on the main point of attention of the MCL40, aerodynamic drag.
This system received the nickname ‘H-wing’ because of the letter ‘H’ present in the name of the sponsor Etihad on the rear wing. The concept is associated with the ‘F-duct’ used by the British team in 2010, when the solution referred to the letter ‘F’ of the then sponsor Vodafone.
In addition to the new rear wing, McLaren prepared updates to the floor structure. The change aims to better direct the airflow, increase aerodynamic efficiency, and at the same time, contribute to drag reduction.
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Red Bull Racing will also have novelties in Monza, with a revised floor to increase local downforce and aerodynamic stability, as well as a new exhaust adapted to the characteristics of the circuit. A new front wing, with changes to the side plate flaps, will also be evaluated.
Mercedes and Ferrari will follow different paths. Mercedes will only have its low downforce specification, while Ferrari will have a new power unit with ADUO update, focusing its main change under the engine cover.
Williams and Racing Bulls will also use low downforce configurations, with Racing Bulls adding a new exhaust to improve airflow management in the central region of the car. Aston Martin, Haas, Alpine, and Cadillac will also bring updates, while Audi did not present any novelties for the weekend.
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