Ferrari is conducting tests at Fiorano before the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
The Ferrari team tested a new, more aggressive mudguard system during an FIA test at the Fiorano circuit this Thursday.
We were able to see, through the photos, Arthur Leclerc, Charles Leclerc’s brother, driving the 2023 Ferrari SF-75 with fully covered tires at the front and rear for rainy conditions. The covers include two holes at the front but are completely covered at the rear. The Italian team’s reserve driver, Oliver Bearman, followed Leclerc behind the wheel of a 2024 car to check visibility.
The FIA tested the first version of water splash protection during wet track tests at Silverstone last year, with the aim of finding a solution to improve visibility for following cars in rainy weather. Although no actual images of the test were shared, the FIA proposed some 3D renders of the solution, which consisted of partial covers on the front and rear tires.
The test was carried out by Mercedes’ reserve driver, Mick Schumacher, with references to Oscar Piastri. The conclusion of the first test was that the system had not brought any significant difference in the levels of water spray generated by the cars.
« What was done in Silverstone, with the help of Mercedes creating parts and McLaren [running a car to get feedback on the displays], may have been too optimistic, said the FIA’s single-seater boss, Nikolas Tombazis, to Autosport last year.
« The water splash protections covered too little of the wheel. I was quite skeptical and imagined that we would not see significant results. » As a result, the FIA promised a more aggressive solution, which Ferrari tested on Thursday at Fiorano.
Nikolas Tombazis explained how complex it was to find a solution that would work successfully. « Having started this project towards the end of last year, and having done quite a few CFD simulations, we quickly understood that it was not as simple as just putting something in and off you go », he declared.
We did not want to lose too much performance from the cars and disrupt the aerodynamics too much, although this was inevitable to some extent.
« And the actual aerodynamic load on these large water splash protections or whatever you call them, if you have full coverage, that would be a pretty high dynamic load. So their support on the pillars should be sturdy enough not to fly away at 300 km/h.
On Friday, Ferrari used a test day to try out the new aerodynamic package for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix next week.
