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April 07, 2025
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From aero tweaks to pit efficiencies, and from power unit evolution to engine choice strategy, every detail could swing the outcome at Suzuka.
Among chassis upgrades, Red Archer leads the way in raw volume, amassing 177 R&D points worth of improvements. They've heavily invested in rear wing downforce and drag reduction, aiming to make their Vertex-powered car a top contender in high-speed sections like 130R. Meanwhile, STAX has taken a different approach, putting 29 points into diffuser downforce to help traction and stability, likely to aid their Reventon-powered car through Suzuka's medium-speed technical sections like the Spoon Curve.
Edonis, Edge, AKA Hero and Green Stripes have nearly identical R&D setups, prioritising a lighter chassis and rapid pit services. Edonis and Edge have each allocated 40 points to reduce weight mass and a further 42 into underfloor, hoping to make their car nimble and good over bumps and kerbs. AKA Hero and Green Stripes have followed this route with similar investments.
Spark, TOP and Road2Formula have taken a balanced route, all with similar ideas, showing the benefit of working together. They've all done weight, body drag and underfloor upgrades.
Super Venturi and THR have opted for focused packages; Super Venturi spending exclusively on weight mass and underfloor floor upgrades, while THR has already made its first significant investment of the season at Turkey: 44 points on drag body and 42 on underfloor floor.
In the engine department, the arms race continues. Reventon and Viper are going in two divergent directions. Reventon, used by teams such as Edonis, Valle, and Super Venturi, has made its move in fuel consumption, improving efficiency by 43 points - a likely advantage at a fuel-hungry circuit like Suzuka. Viper, used by THR and Fraser Tartan, has put its focus entirely into raw power, also with 43 points invested.
Quasar, the choice of Edge, AKA Hero, and Green Stripes, has quietly developed 39 points of additional power. Vertex, which supplies Spark, Road2Formula, Epic, HRT, and TOP, has instead diversified. Their investments include 31 points in fuel consumption and 35 in engine mass reduction - a valuable advantage in weight-sensitive handling circuits. This makes the Vertex the most developed engine so far.
The choice of engine units also gives an insight into strategy and component wear. Most teams have moved to their second engine unit, especially those using Reventon and Vertex. Notably, teams like Super Venturi, TOP, Edonis, and Epic are all on Unit 2 for both cars. Conversely, teams like THR, Spark, and Green Stripes are still on Unit 1, suggesting a more conservative early-season approach.
With every technical decision feeding into the setup puzzle for Suzuka, the Japanese Grand Prix promises to reward those who've made the right calls - both in the factory and in strategy rooms. Will Viper's power pay off through the first sector's rapid-fire esses? Can Reventon's fuel advantage allow longer stints or lighter starting loads? Will Vertex's engine mass gains help its teams claw back time through the tighter sections? Suzuka is ready to provide the answers.
Tyre change upgrades have also been applied by some teams, improving pit stop times without affecting on-track performance.
Edonis, Edge, AKA Hero and Green Stripes have nearly identical R&D setups, prioritising a lighter chassis and rapid pit services. Edonis and Edge have each allocated 40 points to reduce weight mass and a further 42 into underfloor, hoping to make their car nimble and good over bumps and kerbs. AKA Hero and Green Stripes have followed this route with similar investments.
Spark, TOP and Road2Formula have taken a balanced route, all with similar ideas, showing the benefit of working together. They've all done weight, body drag and underfloor upgrades.
Super Venturi and THR have opted for focused packages; Super Venturi spending exclusively on weight mass and underfloor floor upgrades, while THR has already made its first significant investment of the season at Turkey: 44 points on drag body and 42 on underfloor floor.
In the engine department, the arms race continues. Reventon and Viper are going in two divergent directions. Reventon, used by teams such as Edonis, Valle, and Super Venturi, has made its move in fuel consumption, improving efficiency by 43 points - a likely advantage at a fuel-hungry circuit like Suzuka. Viper, used by THR and Fraser Tartan, has put its focus entirely into raw power, also with 43 points invested.
Quasar, the choice of Edge, AKA Hero, and Green Stripes, has quietly developed 39 points of additional power. Vertex, which supplies Spark, Road2Formula, Epic, HRT, and TOP, has instead diversified. Their investments include 31 points in fuel consumption and 35 in engine mass reduction - a valuable advantage in weight-sensitive handling circuits. This makes the Vertex the most developed engine so far.
The choice of engine units also gives an insight into strategy and component wear. Most teams have moved to their second engine unit, especially those using Reventon and Vertex. Notably, teams like Super Venturi, TOP, Edonis, and Epic are all on Unit 2 for both cars. Conversely, teams like THR, Spark, and Green Stripes are still on Unit 1, suggesting a more conservative early-season approach.
With every technical decision feeding into the setup puzzle for Suzuka, the Japanese Grand Prix promises to reward those who've made the right calls - both in the factory and in strategy rooms. Will Viper's power pay off through the first sector's rapid-fire esses? Can Reventon's fuel advantage allow longer stints or lighter starting loads? Will Vertex's engine mass gains help its teams claw back time through the tighter sections? Suzuka is ready to provide the answers.
Tyre change upgrades have also been applied by some teams, improving pit stop times without affecting on-track performance.
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