The five pillars of the revised Formula 1 rules
After the conclusion of the 2021 season of the Formula One World Championship, a new regulation will enter into effect to provide fans worldwide with a spectacle.
A significant revamping of the regulations, as well as the design of the single-seater vehicles, so that dominant dynasties like those held by the Mercedes team since the hybrid era began in 2014 or the one held by Red Bull in the past are rendered impossible for a considerable amount of time.
The main aspects that have prevailed in the decision of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and Liberty Media to carry out this change, of course, are the excitement and uncertainty of knowing who will be the first driver to cross the chequered flag.
This was the case because it was unknown who would be the first driver to cross the finish line.
However, to understand the ecosystem that will emerge, it is necessary to be familiar with the five keys to the new Formula 1 regulations, which will be discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs TopDriverZ article.
The five most important things you need to know about the new Formula One regulations
After all of this has been said, it is now time to go into the subject matter and list the most important details so that readers will have a complete understanding of what the regulation of the premier class of motorsport will consist of beginning in the year 2022.
Aerodynamics and ground effect are reduced to their most fundamental aspects.
The cars’ aerodynamic structures will have a simpler physiognomy and will be based on the ground effect concept, which has been outlawed since it was introduced in 1982.
In what specific ways does this concept manifest itself? That there is less dependence on the force produced by the ailerons and that the so-called “dirty air” produced by the single-seaters is eliminated.
To accomplish this goal, diffusers will be installed at the back, specifically under the pontoons.
These diffusers will cause the air to move very quickly underneath the vessel, resulting in a low-pressure zone and a significant amount of suction.
It is anticipated that this will make passing other competitors easier during the race.
At the moment, the pursuer can lose up to half of their downforce, which compels him in many situations to avoid passing and instead concentrate on preserving their tires by lightly lifting their foot off the accelerator.
Because of the previously mentioned concept that serves as the driving force behind all of this, the nose is again directly linked to the wing.
In the rear area, the rear wing will be simplified. It will present a new design so that it does not produce as many vortices and turbulence that serve as additional obstacles for vehicles pursuing the racer.
On the other hand, the bargeboards, which are panels that aerodynamically channel air to clean the air received by the pontoons, will no longer be used, and neither will the hydraulic systems, which means that the tires will only be partially covered.
As a direct result of everything discussed up to this point, the suspensions will also be simplified. As a result, the exterior of the vehicles will also have a more straightforward appearance.
The modification that can be felt most readily is that of the tires, which will now have a diameter of 18 inches and be equipped with hubcaps to shield the rims.
During the subsequent two-year period, they will continue to offer thermal blankets, albeit at a more affordable price.
They had to register for a minimum weight of 768 kilograms up until this point, but starting the following year, that number will increase to 790.
Also changing is the minimum weight that can be legally carried. 2. Safety elements
The chassis that each of the 20 single-seaters will have will be defined by having more excellent resistance to side crashes.
This will be possible, in part, because the side beam will also gain size to be more in line with the goals of the design.
Because the pianos pose a risk to the structure’s overall integrity, a predetermined front floor structure will be installed in the arena to protect the system and prevent teams from gaining an advantage by using flexible flooring.
Additionally, a more comprehensive one will be present on both flanks. There are going to be some aspects of the rear that are anchored.
The expansion of the tire’s wingspan, discussed in the section before this one, will affect the ties, which will grow in that sense and proportion.
Because of this, the retention systems will be optimized so that the wheels will not come loose in the event of an accident.
Additionally, the space in the cockpit will be increased so that drivers of larger stature are not disadvantaged by this factor when competing.
Both the headrest and its integration with the chassis will undergo development to become more refined.
What will not change, and rightly so, is the presence of the Halo that covers the drivers’ heads?
It was introduced in 2018, and since then, it has saved the lives of multiple people. This will not change.
Regarding head-on collisions, one part of the solution involves having a long nose that can take in more energy.
The primary concern will be avoiding completely separating the front wing from the vehicle.
As a result of the installation of a rubber membrane inside specific components, any debris produced as a result of an accident will be more effectively contained.
3. Economic costs and a limit on the budget
On the financial front, we must begin by stating that many common elements will see the light of day, and the use of certain materials will be subject to commercial availability (primarily those about the power unit).
This will make it challenging to develop parts using large financial investments, which would therefore represent a significant competitive advantage over the other teams.
The increase in weight, the elimination of the manufacturer’s monopoly on the supply of battery cells and turbochargers, the standardization of the high-pressure fuel pump, and the mandated disclosure of specifications by both the manufacturer and the customer team will all play a significant role in the engine’s implementation of these austerity measures.
A new method of cataloging, which will be implemented soon, will differentiate between up to five distinct types to classify the various components that play a role in the design, manufacture, and development of automobiles. These types include:
Because the gearbox will not be able to undergo any development for the next five years and its dimensions have been restricted, the costs associated with its research and development have been eliminated.
After that, it is open to any redesigns, although it should be noted that it is not standardized in any way and is wholly and entirely up to the discretion of each racing team.
To achieve these cost savings while maintaining the same level of functionality, the drive shaft will have its geometry simplified.
The amount of time a team can spend on aerodynamic development at its factory will also be reduced.
This includes time spent in the wind tunnel and using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). This technology simulates air flow to analyze each single-seater’s load and aerodynamic drag.
However, the final position a team achieves in the constructors’ world championship will determine how much time each team has to develop its vehicle. This time could be more or less.
Therefore, the total budget each team can allocate to improve the performance of its single-seater cannot exceed 175 million dollars.
This is the ceiling for the total budget that each team can allocate.
The costs associated with marketing, the salaries received by the staff personnel, the drivers (although it has been slipped that it could be limited), and the chief executives of each team do not come out of that total amount.
4. Energy sources and long-term viability
The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Liberty Media has established a goal for the coming year to “double the presence of renewable fuel to 20%.”
From this point forward, the objective is to bring up that percentage.
This must be clarified with specific numbers after reaching a consensus with the engines’ manufacturers and fuel suppliers.
The hybrid nature of the engines, which will continue to be hybridized as part of efforts to make the championship a sustainable competition, is the only aspect of the tournament that has not changed.
5. Some additional significant alterations
As a finishing touch to this article on the five keys to the new Formula 1 regulations, it is worthwhile adding others whose importance should not be underestimated, including the following:
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