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We are already past the halfway point in the Formula 1 season, and so far we’ve seen plenty of great work done by the teams to improve their performance. As always, Giorgio Piola has kept a close eye on these improvements – so we can take a look through the story so far… The bargeboard region has been another area of explosive development since the regulations were changed to increase downforce in 2017. The teams have continued to make strides in this area, even though the available space has been reduced for this season.    2019 bargeboard regulation Photo by: Giorgio Piola The height at which the bargeboards could extend upward was reduced by 150mm, but they can now sit...

Ahead of Ferrari's home race at the Italian Grand Prix, legendary technical expert and illustrator Giorgio Piola revisits one of its greatest Formula 1 cars - the 640. Ferrari's 1989 design broke new ground with its semi-automatic gear change system, but Giorgio explains how its creator John Barnard went to extraordinary lengths to make sure the innovation stayed on the car despite skepticism within the team. Though those sceptics looked set to be proved right as reliability problems peppered Ferrari's pre-season build-up, Barnard was vindicated first when Nigel Mansell took a shock victory on the car's debut in the Brazilian Grand Prix and then when the technology went on to be adopted not just across F1 and the rest of...

We are already past the halfway point in the Formula 1 season, and so far we’ve seen plenty of great work done by the teams to improve their performance. As always, Giorgio Piola has kept a close eye on these improvements – so we can take a look through the story so far. Let’s start with front wings and noses… Alfa Romeo Racing C38 front wing detail Photo by: Giorgio Piola The new aerodynamic regulations for 2019 saw teams take two very different approaches with their front wing designs. Alfa Romeo opted for the most aggressive solution, adopting what’s known as an ‘unloaded’ design, a solution preferred by both Ferrari and Toro Rosso too. This ‘unloaded’ wing solution features a...

Breaking the ice and claiming his first career victory only one week prior at Spa, this weekend, Leclerc followed that up with a highly contested drive and hard fought win at Monza. Holding off the Mercs, Leclerc displayed all the characteristics required to be a Formula 1 Champion. He not only possesses enormous talent and speed - which has been clear to everyone since Bahrain - but he also possesses the ruthlessness and malice that you wouldn’t expect from the baby faced racer. This was on full display as some of the tactics used were called into question, but ultimately deemed legal by the stewards (albeit with a warning not to do it again). Great drivers have this side of...

Giorgio Piola and Sutton Images bring you the Formula 1 technical updates on show in the Monza pit-lane at the Italian Grand Prix, giving insight into the relentless development undertaken by the teams in pursuit of more performance. Ferrari SF90 rear wing Photo by: Giorgio Piola  Ferrari’s low downforce rear wing is a fairly simple affair with a low angle of attack to reduce drag. Also note the sculpted upper edge of the mainplane, which is pared back in the central portion to undoubtedly alter the tip vortex and with it the drag being created. Red Bull Racing RB15 Photo by: Giorgio Piola Red Bull’s RB15 is sporting a very low downforce rear wing design as it looks to offset...