Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Topic

Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis

Aston Martin reveals F1 mirror upgrade for Bahrain test

The Aston Martin Formula 1 team has adopted a new wing mirror design for the second pre-season test in Bahrain, with the new configuration given its first run-out on Wednesday.

Aston Martin reveals F1 mirror upgrade for Bahrain test

The new design appears to be influenced by those already seen elsewhere, whereby the outermost mirror stay (red arrow) acts as a flow conditioner that helps to reinforce the outwash being created by the angular bluff body of the sidepod below.

Meanwhile, the other ‘mirror stay’ also serves as an aerodynamic appendage (blue arrow), framing the main wing mirror body in order to smooth the airflow’s transit around it.

It’s unclear if these were planned upgrades, or simply a function of Aston Martin monitoring its rivals and quickly assimilating the design to suit its own needs.

Such rapid appropriation has already been adopted by Aston Martin's rivals, with Ferrari moving to copy the AMR22's double splitter winglet and snowplow seen at its launch. Ferrari had a workable version for its own launch just a week later, having put the solution through the rigours of CFD and the windtunnel before manufacturing a physical version.

Aston Martin's new wing mirror and stalk design bares a striking resemblance to the Mercedes, with its sidepod skirt-stay the most obvious aspect shared between the two.

The W13 also features a winglet-like surround for the mirror body, albeit one that wraps around the top edge, rather than the bottom of the assembly.

The Bahrain tests will be the first on-track running overseen by new Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack, who officially joined the team from BMW last week to replace Otmar Szafnauer.

Speaking in a media briefing, Krack said the first test in Barcelona had been "a success" despite suffering some "hiccups", which included a fire caused by an oil leak while Sebastian Vettel was at the wheel on the final day.

The first test in Barcelona wasn't plain-sailing for Aston Martin

The first test in Barcelona wasn't plain-sailing for Aston Martin

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

The team completed the sixth-highest tally of laps in Barcelona.

"For Bahrain obviously, we have analysed what happened in terms of the new regs, in terms of tyres in terms also our new structure, because we have already made quite a lot of adjustments even before my time," he said.

"Bahrain will be a matter of bringing updates to some of the stuff we have learned.

"Obviously, the time in between is not not very, very long. Plus, you have all the logistics to get everything down to Bahrain.

"But we're working hard to bring some improvements to the car from what we have learned."

shares
comments

Related video

Could Mercedes introduce radical 'zeropod' F1 design?

Lewis Hamilton to be subject of new documentary on Apple TV+

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries