With teams continuing to find extra performance from the underfloor aerodynamics given its importance, both opted to make changes in this area of the car for the French Grand Prix.
And it appears there is an intriguing detailed development battleground opening up between them when it comes to trying to maximise how the airflow is directed towards the floor by fences.
Red Bull, having run the twin outer fence arrangement since the start of the season, decided to abandon it as part of its latest update. Instead, the inner of those two fences was moved further inboard.
Placing the third fence in closer proximity to the two inboard of it not only has an impact on the behaviour of the airflow as it enters the tunnel, but it will likely also result in this third fence stretching back underneath the floor like its siblings inboard.
Previously it had stopped short to help power up the vortex structure produced by the outermost fence.
This fight between the two uses of the third fence also means that it’s not as tall as it was before, instead sitting within the bounds of the leading edge’s floor line, rather than above it, in order it worked in conjunction with the outermost fence.
Red Bull RB18 rear brake duct comparison
Red Bull also made a subtle change at the rear of the car, with an additional vane added within the bounds of the rear brake’s inlet scoop (red arrow, old specification inset).
The result of the changes will be minimal but will facilitate a better route for the airflow to take into the pipework alongside which feeds the caliper.
Ferrari F1-75 turning vanes comparison
The changes made by Ferrari were also focused on the tunnel entrance for the underfloor, with visible changes made to the height of the floor’s leading edge and the fences.
As we can see in the comparison, above, Ferrari has decided to create more of a two-tier arrangement, with the inner portion of the floor’s leading edge remaining nearer to the upper limit imposed by the regulations, whilst the outer section has been flattened out.
This lowering of the tunnel entrance in the outer section also means that the upper surface of the floor is now divided into two sections, with the lower section more or less aligned with the edge of the sidepod and the inner portion feeds into the sidepod’s undercut.
There’s also changes to the outer fence, as it’s both taller and has been extended forward. There’s also a lower cut out in the forward section of the fence, as can be seen in the lower inset, which shows the previous specification.
The dotted lines show how the team have moved on from the first version of the fence, which was low, short and level with the floor.
Ferrari F1-75 new floor comparison
The extent of the floor’s redesign does carry over into the underfloor too, as witnessed when Charles Leclerc’s car was hoisted away from the circuit. The biggest change here comes with the boat-shaped bodywork that bridges the gap between the step and reference planes.
Here Ferrari appears to have been schooled by Red Bull, as it has narrowed the entire section but more so towards the front in an effort to improve the relationship with the fences which meander out towards the floor's edge.
Mercedes introduced a substantial update package at the British Grand Prix, which included a volume increase around the inboard front suspension, small modifications to the bib wing and chassis canards, with more extensive alterations made to the floor.
As such, there was nothing on the menu in Austria but it followed its Silverstone changes with another batch of smaller optimisations in France in order that it can balance its development out across the course of the season.
As part of this update, the team made an alteration to its front brake duct, with the rear facing outlet not only being increased in size but an interesting Russian nesting doll-like approach has been taken with the fins that lie within.
As we can see with its old arrangement (inset, below) the team already had the outlet segmented in order that the various airflow channels within had their own exit.
However, with the new arrangement, it appears that the team has simply opted to reject that heat and airflow into the larger outlet and then manage the flow with smaller, similarly S-shaped fins.
You’ll also note the different colour of the new inserts, which are not only 3D printed but also have a surface coating to help with managing the heat.
Mercedes W13 front brake duct exit scoop comparison
The team also made another change to an area of the car we’ve seen it tackle before, with the floor just ahead of the rear tyre modified once more.
This area of the floor helps in managing the airflow around the rear tyre and therefore can have an influence over tyre squirt, the phenomenon which sees airflow pushed laterally off the tyre as it deforms and contributes to a weakening of the diffuser's performance.
"Unfair" to lose "racing stronghold" France from F1 calendar - Alpine
Hamilton has ‘plenty left in the tank’ after reaching 300 F1 race landmark
The old and new ideas that Mercedes has brought to the Hungarian GP
Why Alpine’s intense F1 development push shows no sign of slowing
Why McLaren has abandoned its original sidepod concept
Verstappen: Red Bull can't compete with Ferrari in Hungary in the dry
The standout F1 2022 weakness Verstappen still needs Red Bull to address
Horner: Mercedes "getting closer and closer" to Red Bull, Ferrari
F1 Hungarian GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more
Charles Leclerc topped the times on Friday for Ferrari at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. Here’s how and when to watch qualifying.
The good fortune Red Bull needs to overthrow Hungary favourites Ferrari
In scorching hot conditions at the Hungaroring, Ferrari has a clear edge on the competition. But as witnessed already this season, the Scuderia hasn’t had things go its way and there are still plenty of factors which could open up opportunities for its Formula 1 rivals to strike at the Hungarian Grand Prix
What is F1's summer break, why does it happen and how long is it?
Formula 1 takes a summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix but what is the summer break, why do they happen and what do teams do during them? Click here to find out.
Vettel: New Aston Martin F1 rear wing not only reason for Hungary pace
Sebastian Vettel says Aston Martin’s new rear wing was not the only reason behind his encouraging seventh place in second practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The good fortune Red Bull needs to overthrow Hungary favourites Ferrari
In scorching hot conditions at the Hungaroring, Ferrari has a clear edge on the competition. But as witnessed already this season, the Scuderia hasn’t had things go its way and there are still plenty of factors which could open up opportunities for its Formula 1 rivals to strike at the Hungarian Grand Prix
The complexities contributing to F1’s current bouncing storm
Why are some Formula 1 teams resisting solutions to a dangerous problem that could have long-term impacts on driver health? ALEX KALINAUCKAS investigates why 'porpoising' has become a toxic political issue, as well as a flummoxing technical one...
The epic championship battle Ferrari stumbles have robbed us of
Ferrari's biggest adversary in the 2022 Formula 1 title battle has largely been itself more than Max Verstappen, and team errors and mechanical issues have contrived to put Charles Leclerc a whopping 63 points behind his rival. Doing the maths, had Ferrari had not suffered those problems, Leclerc would actually be some way ahead of the order...
The standout F1 2022 weakness Verstappen still needs Red Bull to address
OPINION: After his French Grand Prix victory and Charles Leclerc’s catastrophic crash, Max Verstappen’s points lead now sits at 63 – the largest it’s been so far in Formula 1 2022. But there’s still one area where he isn’t satisfied, which he needs Red Bull to fix
The 2018 Vettel rut Leclerc must avoid in F1 2022's title fight
OPINION: With a French Grand Prix crash that hampers Ferrari's Formula 1 title credentials even further, Charles Leclerc revived uncomfortable memories for the Scuderia of Sebastian Vettel's 2018 Hockenheim blunder. Leclerc's immediate reaction was markedly different to the German's, and that must continue to be the case going forward if he is to have any chance of toppling Max Verstappen in 2022
French Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Despite the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard often considered a low-key affair, there was action aplenty this weekend which has strongly shaped the ratings. Two maximums are given out and another driver just misses out on a perfect score
The knife-edge French GP Verstappen fight factors that led to Leclerc's costly crash
The tussle for French Grand Prix victory was bubbling up nicely between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, right up until the Ferrari driver made a critical error which handed his Formula 1 world title rival a straightforward path to win and cement his championship advantage. But even though Leclerc owned up to his mistake, how the race unfolded at the front set his costly crash in motion
Why F1's chess master isn't worried by self-doubt
“Chess is a war over the board - the object is to crush the opponent’s mind,” said chess world champion Bobby Fischer. GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV recently challenged keen player Mick Schumacher to a more light-hearted match, and along the way got Mick to talk about pictures, his famous surname and how he’s coping in his second season in F1