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How best to balance the set-up trade-off that the Spa circuit places on F1 teams? Mark Hughes takes you through all the new tech on show at the Belgian GP
Teams at the Belgian Grand Prix are facing a challenge in balancing high-downforce demands with low-drag emphasis on Spa-Francorchamps’ circuit. Seven out of 10 teams have introduced upgrades, with Mercedes making significant overall changes to close the gap on McLaren and Red Bull. Additional parts showcased include a refined Mercedes floor and diffuser, as well as a low-downforce wing. The new components aim to enhance downforce while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, highlights the importance of downforce in the development process. Overall, teams like Alpine, Sauber, and Haas have tailored their solutions for the specific demands of Spa and ongoing performance improvements.