The 2022 Formula 1 season has welcomed a new technical regulation that has caused quite a few changes in the hierarchical order of the grid, but not only in the general classification, but also in the top speed traps, where Red Bull has placed at the top with its two drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez.
In past seasons, Milton Keynes used to be in the middle of the table or even in the lower positions, but the change in rules has made them the rivals to beat.
At the last test before the summer break, the Hungarian Grand Prix, the energy drink outfit introduced a new, higher downforce rear wing. That beam wing design is what much of the grid considers a conventional layout for this regulation, with two elements mounted in-line, one on top of the other.
And, like its rivals, the design features pieces with a heavier center section and a tapered outer tip. Previously, Red Bull had steered away from that trend, opting for a “stacked” design.
Also, when they had to reduce downforce and drag on the higher top speed circuits, they got rid of the upper section of those two elements, as seen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix [below].
Red Bull Racing RB18 rear wing comparison
For its part, Alpine, which has favored the general aerodynamic layout of the RB18 on its A522, also presented its version of the “stacked” beam wing in Baku. Like Red Bull, they also have a couple of levels with different layouts on their end, with a higher downforce variant being used in Canada.
Like those at Milton Keynes, Enstone also opted to switch to their “conventional” beam wing in Hungary, although with further development they preferred to trim the outside of the elements to relieve the drag that the older specification could generate. used in Imola, Miami, Barcelona and Monaco [inset].
Alpine A522 rear wing comparison
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