theprancinghorse.co.uk - News Features / F2007 Updates For France

During last week's Silverstone test Ferrari introduced new winglets in front of the F2007's cockpit, placed either side of the chassis. Resembling similar winglets on the Renault and McLaren, these small additions better divert airflow around the cockpit and, more importantly, improve the quality of airflow directed towards the sidepod inlets, thus aiding cooling. They also allow the team to run more radical front wing angles, which without the new winglets would cause too much disruption to the airflow to the sidepods.

Introduced as part of a new aero package at the recent Silverstone test, this wing, sporting a completely revised main profile, was used in France. The profile has lost the relatively dramatic curves of its predecessor and is now largely flat across its width, with just its extremities bending downwards slightly (green arrow) at their leading edge. This configuration looks to have been designed specifically for medium-downforce tracks like Magny-Cours and Silverstone, providing adequate downforce (and hence rear grip), without too much of a penalty in terms of drag.