Sauber: The “F-Duct” system needs time

As Antoine Maricot reported in his March 25 article, Sauber is the first team on the grid to be inspired by McLaren’s “F-Duct” system.

In essence, the Flow-Duct (translate as flow duct) consists of an additional opening on the bodywork, into which air rushes. Through a duct, this air flows through the heart of the single-seater to exit at the rear. The driver controls the flow from the cockpit to increase downforce on the rear wing. By the effect of ground adherence, the car can thus gain in top speed.

As the first practice sessions of the Australian GP have just begun, Pedro de la Rosa provides an initial assessment of the use of this technical innovation:

«We are in the learning phase, that is why we used this system only during the first session. Our goal is to make it work properly for the upcoming races. Certainly our competitors will then have adopted this process, but since it is very difficult to operate, we will have a real advantage thanks to our accumulated experience. »

Regarding the operation of the “F-Duct,” de la Rosa explains:

The driver must activate this system, whether with the knee or with the hand. All that matters is to activate it because the goal is to gain top speed.

When reminded that it is surprising to see Sauber offering, so quickly, an equivalent to the McLaren system, especially after having spent seven years as a test driver for the English team, de la Rosa defends himself:

No, I assure you that it has absolutely no influence on the fact that I knew this process, which I cannot deny. The team started working as soon as the system was mentioned in the media.

Regarding this race weekend in Melbourne, the Spanish driver feels confident:

I feel stronger than in Bahrain. I am happier with the car because the grip level is much better. We will fight to get into the top ten. It will be difficult, but I am much more positive than for the first Grand Prix, even though we have a lot to do to achieve a clean lap.

Regarding this first day of free practice, he concluded:

Today, precisely, it was very difficult to get a clean lap, as there was a lot of traffic on a track filled with puddles. It was a tricky session.