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