29 Dutch GP spy shots reveal car design secrets across the F1 grid

From front wings, to rear brake duct winglets and everything in between, Formula 1 cars are extremely complex machines that change on a race-by-race basis, with some parts rarely seen as they lay beneath the covers but are just, if not more important than some of the components seen by millions during a race weekend.

Join us as we delve into the technical intricasies on show during the Dutch Grand Prix race weekend.

Dutch Grand Prix: Digging into the details…

The Williams FW47’s rear wing with the DRS open shows how the flap sits down on the tip section when it closes.

 

The front brake assembly on the A525, with the caliper housed at the front of the assembly and the fairing around it already installed.

 

The front brake assembly, this time with the next layer within the nest installed, which includes a window that sits above the holes in the brake disc fairing.

 

The Mercedes W16 steering wheel with the various buttons, rotaries and switches used to control powerunit and chassis parameters.

 

An overview of the forward, upswept section of the edge wing on the McLaren MCL39.

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Racing Bulls VCARB02 front brake assembly with the fairings in place to help maintain the right temperature and flow around the disc and caliper.

 

A side view of the front suspension fairings on the Aston Martin AMR25, which have upswept sections near the chassis.

 

The Sauber C43 sat on the stands in the garage as it’s prepared for action. Note the various pipework and fairings used to help control brake temperatures under the outer drum that’s not yet fitted.

 

The heat treated and ladder-style caliper fairing on the Ferrari SF-25.

 

Haas mechanics work on the VF-25 in the garage. Also note the coating applied to the outer drum of the front brake assembly to help with heat transference between it and the tyre rim.

 

A close up of the powerunit installation on the Mercedes W16.

 

The first stage of the fairings fitted to the front brake duct assembly on the RB21. Note both the coating applied to the fairing to help manage temperatures and the window in the surface of the fairing used to allow heat to escape to the stage above.

 

A look at the second stage of the front brake duct arrangement on the Red Bull RB21, which now with the brake caliper covered and the disc fairing enveloped gives an idea of how the heat and airflow is managed.

 

The window in the fairing surrounding the brake disc is covered in this arrangement, as the team opt to create a different set of thermal conditions, perhaps with an asymmetric layout in mind. The outer drum cover will slide over the top of this when the build is complete.

 

A side view of the front suspension fairings on the McLaren MCL39, which features the upswept sections beside the chassis.

 

An overview of the Alpine A525, including the rear suspension, beam wing and diffuser.

 

The Racing Bulls VCARB02 rear wing with the DRS flap opens how the flap sits on the tip section when closed.

 

The McLaren MCL39 rear wing solution used by the team at the Dutch Grand Prix was introduced earlier in the season, tested in Spain but left unraced.

 

A rare glimpse of the Aston Martin AMR25’s underfloor, with a lack of uniformity to the floor fences clear to see, whilst the vanes at the front and rear of the edge wing are also visible.

 

The rear of the Mercedes W16 steering wheel with its slender gear shift paddles and single wishbone-style clutch paddle.

 

A look at the detail of the McLaren MCL39’s rear end, including the rear suspension fairings, brake duct and beam wing.

 

A close up of the Haas VF-25 bib damper.

 

A look at the Racing Bulls VCARB02 as it’s prepared on the stands in the garage.

 

The rear brake duct winglet array and outlet on the Alpine A525.

 

A great view of the Mercedes powerunit installation in the W16, also note the blade-style winglet attached to the rear wing pillar.

 

An overview of the Haas VF-25’s front wing mounted on the stand outside their garage.

 

A look beneath the outer drum on the Aston Martin AMR25 at how the teams are managing the airflow and heat around the assembly.

 

The McLaren MCL39 being prepared ahead of the action, with the outer brake drum fitted.

 

Prior to the outer drum being fitted we’re given a glimpse of how the team are moving airflow around the assembly.

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