Maranello’s aerodynamic intuition, centered on the introduction of a flow deflector downstream of the exhaust tailpipe, is rapidly setting a trend within the paddock. While Haas has already capitalized on its close synergy with Ferrari to implement an appendage, which was further modified today for Canada, the rest of the teams have also taken inspiration in search of analogous solutions.
The Grove-based team had landed in Florida with a targeted novelty specifically for the exhaust, a solution that sought to replicate the blowing effect. Shots from the pit lane had confirmed the installation of an element similar to a monkey seat, anchored directly to the rear deformable structure, near the exhaust exit.
Despite sporting proportions and geometric shapes distant from the red car’s specification, the British device pursued a similar target: directing the energy of the exhaust gases towards the rear wing profiles, generating precious additional downforce. The reduced footprint of the component stood out, a choice designed to extract local efficiency without generating a negative impact on drag.
The modification to the Williams FW46’s monkey seat
Today, on the first day of track activity for the fifth round of the world championship, an evolution of this system debuted on the British single-seater. As can be easily observed thanks to the image taken directly from the Canadian pit lane, the comparison highlights a clear difference in the wing’s dimensions, as well as its shapes.
The surface now covers the entire width of the exhaust, abandoning the previous rounded shape. However, the element is positioned at a lower height, affecting the high-speed exhaust gases differently. This represents a simpler and more effective aerodynamic interpretation, whose functioning aligns more closely with the solutions already adopted by other cars on the grid.
