Ferrari’s recent tests at Fiorano aimed to tackle F1’s ongoing visibility issues in wet conditions, yet yielded no clear solutions.
Formula 1 has not yet found a technical solution to improve driver visibility in wet weather.
Last year, the first prototypes of wheel covers or “mudguard” arches designed to reduce spray plumes behind cars were tested, but without success.
In collaboration with the FIA, improved arches were tested by Ferrari on the artificially wet Fiorano track last week.
Several variants were tested, on both the front and rear axles. However, trackside photos did not show that a significant improvement had been achieved, as Ferrari also observed.
The concern is that it’s not only the large wheels, but also the huge diffuser of the modern ground-effect F1 cars that send the majority of the water behind them.
The rear of the underbody cannot be covered as easily as the wheels, without completely neutering the aerodynamic downforce.
The FIA will probably need to conduct some additional tests before finding a satisfactory solution. Until then, we must hope that the rain gods will be merciful to Formula 1 and avoid scenarios similar to the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
F1’s Rain Visibility Tests at Fiorano Prove Inconclusive. F1’s Rain Visibility Tests at Fiorano Prove Inconclusive
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