F1 | Red Bull RB18: what is the slot above the tea tray for?

In the Barcelona tests it was observed that many teams have provided for the use of fans on the keel of the chassis above the tea-tray. The technical regulation of F1 2022 allows designers to open an air vent to allow cooling of the control units or the driver.

It is evident that if ventilation systems are used they were not arranged to cool the pilot (in Montmelò there were at most 18 degrees in the air temperature), but to avoid overheating the multiple control units that accompany the machine system. .

The technicians, in fact, with the introduction of the Venturi channels on the sides of the body, had to look for other arrangements for the electronics which, instead, in past years had been placed in the lower part of the bellies, under the radiators.

With the need to move the control units, it was essential to open the cooling vents to prevent them from overheating on the track. It should not be surprising, therefore, that upon returning to the pits the mechanics took steps to place small fans to avoid the uncontrolled increase in temperatures.

In particular, the Red Bull RB18 has a long vertical slot and someone thought it could contain laser sensors useful for monitoring the minimum height from the ground and the hopping due to porpoising.

Mercedes W13: the control units cool down

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Aston Martin AMR22 with fan to cool the electronics

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

Among the single-seaters that have the air intake above the tea-tray we have seen Mercedes W13 and Martin AMR22.