Formula 1 entered a new era of closer racing in 2022. The FIA had worked a lot to make it happen, and the initial results were positive. However, just one year later, things are worsening again. After the Italian GP, Carlos Sainz complained about the ability of these cars to follow the car in front. FIA’s Nikolas Tombazis talks about the steps FIA is planning to take to combat this development.
Comments after the Italian GP
After the Italian GP, Carlos Sainz commented it has become just as difficult to follow as in 2020-21. This comes right after complaints from various other drivers during the season.
Formula 1 is a congregation of some of the best engineers in the world. These engineers will leave no stone unturned in making their car worse to follow. The FIA conducted an analysis of these cars. It showed that the 2023 cars have lost 50% of the gains made in terms of downforce loss in 2022.
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FIA looking at 2025
It is too late to make any changes for 2024. Most Formula 1 teams have already started designing their 2024 challengers. In an interview with Motorsport.com’s Italian Edition, FIA’s single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, has revealed the significant aero-drop.
“If we take the 2021 F1 cars, based on being two lengths from the car in front, they were losing more than 50% of the [aero] load,” he explained.
“With the 2022 single-seaters, there was only a 20% reduction in load. But now we are at about 35%.”
Identifying Areas for Improvement
Nikolas Tombazis stated how the FIA doesn’t like a lot of design items by the Formula 1 teams. However, they can’t change them without changing the regulations significantly. However, they have some solutions in the pipeline.
“We are studying solutions for 2025,” he explained. “We have identified some parts of the cars to act on, such as the endplate of the front wing, the side of the floor and the fins inside the wheels (around the brake ducts). We could lay down somewhat more restrictive rules in these areas.
We have the right to act on flexible bodywork when we see something that does not convince us because the regulation says that parts should be rigidly secured and immobile,” he said. “In reality, we know that this is not [strictly] possible, so there is a right to apply common sense.”
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There is already a clampdown on flexi-wings coming at the Singapore GP. It will be interesting to see how Formula 1 and the FIA take on the might of Formula 1 engineers.
Editors pick
