setup doesn’t allow the tyres to heat up efficiently under normal conditions. However, this approach could also lead to overheating — which in turn might cause excessive tyre degradation.

📸 @n_mode_log on X and AmUS

📸 illustrations: @ohad_bark

The solutions introduced by McLaren and Red Bull are designed exactly to fix these issues. They channel the hot air generated during braking to help warm up the tyres.

As mentioned in a previous post, this is particularly beneficial for McLaren, as their aggressive anti-dive

Then there's Ferrari, which often had to sacrifice qualifying because they couldn’t get the rear tyres into the optimal temperature window. That was mainly due to a rear suspension that failed to activate them effectively.

Additionally, it seems to have a greater upwash effect, helping to reduce drag caused by the wake from the wheels.

To accommodate the new connections, the endplate has been modified."

#Mercedes and #RedBull have opted for lower-downforce setups, likely in the medium-low range. Among the top teams, Mercedes appears to be running the least amount of downforce.

#McLaren is also using a medium-downforce setup, though possibly with slightly less downforce than their red rivals. Like #Ferrari, they have a spoon-shaped rear wing, which helps generate more downforce in the central section while reducing drag at the outer edges.

#Ferrari is running a medium-downforce configuration, likely featuring a double-element beam wing as before. This should help maintain rear stability, but we might see setup adjustments during practice to mitigate the understeer that has been troubling the Italian team.

⏩️ Stay up to date on f1 (news & tech analysis) with Formula Paddock, link in bio @formulapaddock.bsky.social

But not only that, what further determined the gap was to have an excellent balance during the entry and exit of the curve. Losing slightly during entry but recovering and increasing during exit. 5/5

But it will be #Verstappen that will achieve better top speed thanks to improved aerodynamic and DRS efficiency. Recall that the #McLaren has a configuration with more load! 4/5

To show the nails this time was #Piastri, fast in the last two sectors. In particular, Oscar makes the difference in the last sector, coming out better from turn 15 and exploiting the speed in the first part of the straight. 3/5

changed the setup to favour tomorrow's race. A move that did not allow to show the excellent potential of the Italian car on the Chinese track, but still they obtained not very bad positions. 2/5