FIA Technical Director Debunks 2022 F1 Car Myths

With new regulations coming in for the 2022 F1 season, the teams are on their toes searching for the right balance with the new cars. The changes aim towards making the car safer and more competitive than ever. The upcoming car design will have simplified top-body aerodynamics and a more neutral front wing to tackle the “dirty air”.

Furthermore, the less temperature-sensitive tires will be much bigger, with the addition of over-wheel winglets. The overall weight of the car will see an increase of around 5%. These factors were the reasons behind the speculation that the 2022 car might be slower than its predecessor.

FIA technical director Nikolas Tombazis recently discussed many aspects of the new car. He is not expecting the performance of the new car to be at par with the 2021 F1 cars. “It’s hard to imagine that we can beat this season in the first year of the new formula. However, it is important that we achieve the two goals we have set ourselves. The field should move closer together and it should be easier to follow another car,” said Tombazis as reported by Auto Motor Und Sport.

The 2022 F1 regulations are flexible

Technical Director Tombazis clarified that they have not set these regulations in stone. As per the performance of the car, there will be subsequent changes. “The goals were correct. The basic measures for this, too. The mistake was that the teams were given too much freedom. That’s why the goals were missed in the end.” said Tombazis.

“I expect adjustments to be made during the season if things don’t work as they should,” he added.

The performance of the car is likely to improve by the end of the 2022 season. “At the moment, about three seconds separate the first from the last. We hope that by the end of 2022 it will be only one and a half seconds.” 

Tombazis is confident that at the start of the season mainly only detail work will take place; the basic concepts are in place. Many teams have started with the crash tests and two are already done with it. Apart from that, drivers are trying out the new machinery in simulators and they will be soon on track for the winter testing.

As we are heading into the new season, there can be a shift in the power dynamics on the grid. Let’s see how the next season unfolds. Share your views on the same.