Bahrain Grand Prix: 4 Big Car upgrades to watch this weekend
Bahrain Grand Prix: 4 Big Car upgrades to watch this weekend

Summary

Ferrari leads the charge in Bahrain with major upgrades to the SF-25, while McLaren, Red Bull, and Haas reveal circuit-specific changes to boost performance under high temperatures and unique track demands.

NEW DELHI: Ferrari tops the F1 upgrade list ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix as four teams โ€” Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, and Haas โ€” bring new components to their cars in a bid to maximise performance, both at this circuit and throughout the season.

 

While McLaren, Red Bull, and Haas have opted for track-specific updates to adapt to Bahrainโ€™s unique demands, Ferrariโ€™s upgrade to the SF-25 is more far-reaching, intended to enhance overall performance and widen the carโ€™s operating window across all circuits.

 

Ferrariโ€™s All-Round SF-25 Overhaul

 

Ferrari enters Bahrain with the most comprehensive set of upgrades. In response to findings from pre-season testing and the opening races, theyโ€™ve made sweeping modifications aimed at overall consistency and aerodynamic efficiency.

 

Key changes include:

  • Redesigned floor fences and a revised leading edge of the floor tunnel to improve airflow management.
  • A new floor edge wing, where โ€œthe swept section at the front has been increased in length and three strakes added, rather than two.โ€
  • A reworked diffuser, with adjustments to โ€œthe shape of the keel section to better manage flow at the rear and work more effectively at varying ride heights.โ€
  • A new winglet array has also been added around the rear wingโ€™s inverted Y-lon mounting pillar, optimising rear-end aerodynamics.

These upgrades are designed not just for Bahrain, but to deliver circuit-agnostic performance gains.

 

 

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McLarenโ€™s Targeted Brake Duct Update

 

McLaren arrives in Bahrain with a single upgrade focused on improving airflow efficiency. The team has updated the front brake duct winglets to โ€œimprove the passage of airflow around the assembly and alter its onward journey to more critical areas, such as the front of the floor and sidepods.โ€

Red Bull Combines Aerodynamics with Cooling Enhancements

 

Red Bull has opted for a longer chord flap on the front wing, which allows โ€œmore scope in aerodynamic setup and helps with front-to-rear car balance.โ€

 

Theyโ€™ve also introduced a larger cooling louvre arrangement to deal with Bahrainโ€™s high ambient temperatures. This setup is โ€œslightly larger than previous versions, allowing better rejection of heat generated by the power unit and ancillaries.โ€

 

Haas Focuses on Rear Cooling Efficiency

 

Haas has also responded to Bahrainโ€™s heat by deploying โ€œa more substantial rear cooling offering.โ€ The team will use a larger rear cannon opening โ€œif the conditions dictate that the power unit requires more cooling assistance.โ€

 

With Ferrari making bold, all-circuit upgrades and rivals fine-tuning their machines for Bahrainโ€™s climate, the Grand Prix weekend is set to be just as fascinating off the track as it is on it.