RED BULL ENDPLATES TAKE A TWIST
After trying a new nose at the Austrian GP, which it ended up not running for the Styrian race, Red Bull added new endplates to its RB16.
Without wanting to disparage the Haas team, it’s rarely a place you look for new developments – but the endplate construction it added last year drew more than a few sideways glances from Red Bull. This features curved slots in the endplate overhang, which assists the airflow expansion experienced at the rear to draw more performance from the diffuser and rear wing. Those slots also help to condition any errant turbulence from the tyres, cleaning it up and ensuring that no unpredictable flow structures enter that expansion space.
By the end of the race, however, Max Verstappen’s new endplates looked slightly worse for wear and the Dutchman lost a little bit of traction – particularly on the exit of Turn 3. That helped Valtteri Bottas overhaul Verstappen for second – but still, a podium was surely enough reward for the team after the previous weekend’s catalogue of issues.