What were the best technical upgrades of the F1 season?

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There have been very few upgrades (barring track specific) over the past few races and in Abu Dhabi for this final 2024 race. As we say "goodbye" to the 2024 F1 season, I thought I would dig back through the Coffee Corner Motorsport tech updates and list my top 5 updates from the 2024 season.

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McLaren - Miami Grand Prix

Engine Cover, Cooling Louvres, Sidepod Inlets, Front Wing

It may be hard to think about it now... but before Miami, McLaren had what was widely regarded as the 3rd fastest car as the 2024 season opened.

McLaren worked on bringing their 1st major update to Imola but managed to bring it forward to Miami to place on the car of Lando Norris. The changes centred around a floor redesign which enhanced the downforce at the front of the car, particularly in low-speed corners. To facilitate the energising of the aerodynamics around the leading edge of the floor, the whole lower front of the sidepod had been carved out – this was made possible by the introduction of a new wider, shallower radiator intake with an enhanced lip above it.

This update transformed the car’s ability to generate and retain good downforce on the front axle through low/medium-speed corners while still retaining its good high-speed balance marking not only a first win for Lando but the emergence of McLaren as a contender for the Constructors Championship (and now WINNERS).

Check out the full Miami Grand Prix Tech Corner.

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Ferrari - Monza Grand Prix

Floor Edge and Body

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A long awaited Ferrari update was rolled out for their home race in Monza and quickly propelled the team to victory in front of the delighted Tifosi. Ferrari introduced a floor update in Barcelona but rather than propel them forward it actually set them back when the new floor introduced porpoising to the SF24. 

While there were some track specific updates on the car for Monza, there were also some significant changes made to the car to enable them to return to the top step. The updates included changes to the lower side impact structure which enabled the team to reprofile the upper floor surface. There were changes to the floor fences which were reprofiled and aligned. Additionally, the shapes of the boat tail and diffuser were also heavily reconstructed.

These changes became the basis of enabling Ferrari to compete again and put them back into contention for the Constructors Championship (secured P2).

Check out the full Italian Grand Prix Tech Corner.

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Mercedes - Monaco Grand Prix

Front Wing updates Floor Body Update

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While the front wing with the thin chord dominated the headlines when the covers came off the W15 in Bahrain - it was a return to the more traditional style in Monaco that development wise was more successful for the Silver Arrows and helped propel them up the standings.

Originally placed just on George's car as the team rushed it through the redesign, the wing in concert with a new floor body was this update that James Allison heralded as a step change for the team. The new wing helped combat the instability of the rear end of the W15 which was an issue that the team had been battling with and whilst that innovative early 2024 design had helped this return to a more conventional wing. The front wing appeared in Canada for both cars and has been tweaked over the season but is one standout point in the development battle.

Check out the full Monaco Grand Prix Tech Corner.

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McLaren - Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Mini DRS Rear Wing

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We couldn't have a tech corner and not discuss the most controversial development of 2024 - the “mini drs” rear wing that came to the forefront in conversations during Baku and still is causing controversy.

Deemed originally legal by the FIA after the wings passed static tests - the onboards were clear in what they were showing, that was the mobile flap moves, flexes, and rotates even with the DRS closed. This, no doubt, meant a gain in pace.

There was a lot of talk that it wasn't a significant gain, but either way you looked at it there was a gain made from this design. There were 2 firm camps:

1. It was innovative and pointed to the FIA rules saying "well if no rule or test has been broken, surely the McLaren team should be applauded for creating such a great design".
2. The camp that called for it to be banned and the team punished immediately and hit hard with a penalty.

The FIA took a long look after Baku, and in true fashion, a compromise was reached in which the wing was deemed legal but needed small changes to be made for future use due to the flexing when the wing was shut. So while the Red Bull team has an energy drink that gives you wings, the McLaren wings were well and truly clipped from that point on.

Check out the full Azerbaijan Grand Prix Tech Corner.

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Red Bull - Japanese Grand Prix

New Inlets

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My final update is actually a lack of update concerning Red Bull and the RB20.

When the car was unveiled in Bahrain, it showed an unusual shoulder design for the air ducts on the new Red Bull. This led to an unusual amount of unfounded speculation that Red Bull were about to pull off the ultimate copy cat and bring with them zero side pods in a nod to the failed Mercedes design.

I was one of the ones who was adamant this wouldn't be the case as there didn't look any evidence or in fact realistic talk of it happening... although that didn't stop all eyes looking on the Red Bull Garage to see who was right…

As we now know, the RB20 did have some tweaks and whilst it turned out zero sidepods wasn't one of them, what's interesting is the RB20 that ended this season is actually in stark contrast (development-wise) to the one that dominated the start of the 2024 season, with a look now very similar to the RB19. 

Check out the full Japanese Grand Prix Tech Corner.

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So that's my top 5 development updates of the 2024 season! I hope you've enjoyed the Tech Corner feature for this season. I've certainly enjoyed bringing the updates to you through this new format and all there is to say is thank you for the support and I'll be back next season.

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