Economics of Formula One car’s shark fins and rear wings
abu dhabi — Formula One success isn’t just about having talented drivers, reliable engine, stable management but also having the right business plan to survive the grind.
Sponsorship is ever-so important for teams, especially with dwindling revenue and rising costs. So, it makes sense that a certain McLaren has issues with engine cover ‘shark’ fins citing reasons that it blocks the rear wings. McLaren executive director Zak Brown admitted rear wing is an important component in sponsorship deal.
However, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner noted that at an earlier Strategy Group meeting there was an agreement to leave the fins untouched and stick the number there but things changed later.
“Zak decided he couldn’t see his rear wing. He has obviously signed a major sponsor for next year and he’s trying to get as much coverage as he can, so McLaren presented another variant. The problem is that the aerodynamicists then looked at it and said ‘well, that affects the rear wing, so we don’t want that’. So I’m not quite sure, as we sit here, what we got. I think it goes back to what’s in the regulation, which is no fin and so we have to just work out where to stick the number. Maybe we’ll have another chat and see if we can persuade
If you look at today’s racecar, front wings are no longer commercially viable
Zak Brown
Zak this weekend to put the fin back,” Horner said.
However, another meeting may not turn fruitful as Brown confirmed getting two new sponsors.
“We haven’t announced yet. One is US-based so I think people can expect to see more great brands on the McLaren racecar next year.”
Brown pointed out that rear wing is a valuable commodity.
“The current engine fin tight blocks the rear wing. I’ve only been in the strategy group meetings for a year now. We don’t think enough commercially about some of the technical regulations. If you look at today’s racecar, front wings are no longer commercially viable. We’ve got bargeboards and aerodynamic devices blocking the chassis side and now we’ve got this big engine fin that blocks the rear wing. So that was really more of a case of starting to free up some commercial locations on the racecar,” Brown added.
Mercedes director of motorsport Toto Wolff also backed the idea of doing away with fins.
“It ruins the shape of the car. Obviously it has an aerodynamic purpose and some cars benefit more from having the fin and have more stability and more crosswind instability, but overall it’s not the nicest of elements in general.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene gave a food thought on the topic.
“What is quite funny is Zak said the fin was interfering with the rear wing, and in the meantime he would like to have more commercial space. So, somehow he is removing the fin and doesn’t have any more that commercial space, and on top he needs to find space for the number. So I think there is something wrong here,” Arrivabene said.
With diverse views, the season is heading into an interesting winter phase.
We’ve had a few good weekends, a few podiums but I’m really happy