F1 2022 TECH
Crossing the tunnel channels
Red Bull and Ferrari are fencing for position – but the fencing is only visible when an errant car is rescued. Mark Hughes explains
Ferrari’s car has benefited from a cornering advantage this year, but floor changes hint the team is searching for more straight-line speed
It is notable how the development of the Red Bull and Ferrari, comfortably the two fastest cars of the season, seems to be influenced by their relative strengths and weaknesses. The Red Bull RB18 has in general displayed a straight-line speed advantage over the Ferrari F1-75, which in-turn has usually shown a cornering advantage.
Both teams brought significant upgrades to Paul Ricard, both of which centred on changes to the tunnel inlets. The entries to the underbody tunnels are divided up by three regulation fences, which direct the flow either to the rear of the tunnel (via the inboard fences) or out-washing away from the car (via the outboard fences).