The WWP project, an acronym for Wet Weather Package, started at the end of 2022. It was designed by the FIA to address the difficulty of running in the wet with the standard specification of wheel covers. A first version was tested towards the middle of last year at Silverstone. At the British circuit, a Mercedes equipped with mud flaps was compared with a McLaren running without them. In Fiorano, Ferrari will test the newest version of this project.
F1 DOUBT: FIA MUDFLAPS OR PIRELLI SUPER-INTERMEDIATES?
Although the first test was considered a “failure”, given that the aerodynamic appendages were not able to effectively limit the spray, the Federation did not want to abandon the project.
“The task seems more complicated than expected,” Tombazis said. The key issue is that spray generated by the cars is “rather complicated physics”.
This is because the water spray from the diffuser, in addition to what is kicked up by the tyres, must be factored in. Attempts by F1 to reduce dirty air are believed to have worsened the amount of spray produced. Many experts are in agreement on this point.
“We still have doubts about what the actual proportion is between the spray due to the tires and that generated by the diffuser,” explained Tombazis.
“We know that both factors are quite significant, and we are clearly aware that the problem cannot be solved completely. “
However, finding an effective solution could be extremely important for F1. It will also help to understand which direction to go moving forward. Mario Isola, the head of Pirelli, has offered his thoughts on the situation in recent months.
If the current situation persists, Pirelli will shift its efforts to developing another type of intermediate tyre. It would be called the “super-intermediate or intermediate plus, i.e. a tyre more suited to wet conditions.”
FERRARI WILL BRING THE SECOND VERSION OF THE FIA FENDERS TO THE TRACK BETWEEN THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
However, while the first idea was shelved, the FIA worked on a second version. It should have initially debuted on the track by the end of last year. However, due to a very compressed calendar at the end of the season, alongside budget cap restrictions, the FIA postponed the test to May this year.
Ferrari will test the new mudflaps. As reported by formu1a.uno, Ferrari has reserved the Fiorano track for the F1 project from May 9th-10th.
On one of these two days, the new aerodynamic appendages designed by the FIA will be tested. A car from previous years, like the F1-75, for example, will be used.
On the other day, most likely Friday, the second 200 km seasonal filming day will be carried out. This is when the SF-24 will debut its long-awaited upgrade package scheduled for Imola.
