FIA fail to regulate smaller F1 cars again

FIA fail to regulate smaller F1 cars again

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F1 cars have changed beyond recognition in the 80 years since the sport began in 1950. Early cars were loosely regulated, and innovation and technology rapidly changed both the design and geometry of F1 cars. In recent years, however, the size of the F1 cars has been repeatedly criticized by F1 technical his writers and fans.

The bigger and heavier the car, the more downforce and grip it has, so it’s more stable and faster. This is why many of his historic F1 circuit lap records are held by modern cars.

Problems with big and heavy F1 cars

But even with the new ground effect regulations for 2022, the less effective slipstreams of the old make big, heavy cars need so much downforce, which is problematic. Overtaking is often impossible on tight street circuits due to the sheer size of the cars.

There is no limit to the length of the vehicle, but the width must not exceed 2 meters. During the 2017 season, Mercedes experimented with a long wheelbase, with a car that was a whopping 5.7 meters long, larger than an S-Class limousine.

Smallest F1 car ever

F1 cars got smaller in the 1960s. The main reason is Colin Chapman’s focus on reducing weight, increasing speed and using less fuel.

The Porsche 804 was typical in terms of dimensions for a Formula 1 car in the 1960s, weighing only 455kg and 3.6m long, but now the car weighs a whopping 798kg.

The size and weight of an F1 car changes the way you drive, especially in corners. For a small, light car, the fastest way to corner is to brake late and attack the apex of the turn, giving the impression of pushing the limits.

Big F1 cars require different driving styles

But the focus of modern F1 drivers on master cars is finding ways to maximize escape velocity. This means that tight lines at the apex are often not the fastest, as drivers often brake and begin to straighten the car before accelerating into a turn.

As such, the fastest cars in history don’t give the driver the same impression that they’re pushing themselves to the limit in the same way that smaller and lighter cars did before them.

The next big step in F1 regulation changes is the 2026 season. This will introduce the next generation of power units and is expected to attract more automakers.

FIA promises fewer cars for 2026

However, the FIA ​​has also promised to find ways to reduce the size and weight of the car to overcome the many issues discussed.

formula one car “shorter and lighter” At the 2022 season finale in Abu Dhabi in 2026, FIA Technical Director Nicholas Tombazis was revealed.

This should please Lewis Hamilton, who was critical of the direction of travel allowed by FIA regulations. “These cars are so heavy and unwieldy that they are much slower in low-speed corners than they were before,” Hamilton revealed.

Hamilton hates modern big F1 cars

Lewis explained that lap times were not significantly affected as the engine was continuously powered up.

“Of course the new [2022] Ground effect downforce has been brought back by the regulations so you can go much faster in the fast corners, but in the slow parts these cars are just not fun to drive. ” Hamilton revealed.

The FIA ​​has promised to make the cars smaller and lighter for 2026, but in reality the reductions will be relatively small.

“It is realistic to make the car a little lighter, but you can’t make it much lighter,” Tombazis explains.

F1 car weight breakdown

“The weight difference since 2000 is quite a number, about 200kg. And of that 200kg, about 100kg is the power unit. From electrical components, batteries, turbos, etc. This accounts for half of this significant weight increase. I have.”

The new V6 turbo-hybrid power units are so complex that many believed the FIA ​​would scrap them in 2026 in favor of something simpler, more cost-effective and lighter in weight. . However, F1’s governing bodies have failed to grasp the issue, leaving the V6 unit tweaked here and there.

FIA rejects rethinking big F1 engine

Tombazis claims part of the reason for this has to do with road cars. “We need to keep F1 relevant to the direction of society. Petrol heads want the V10 and the end of the story, but we have to go the way we did and know there is no turning back. I know. So that’s about half the weight gain.”

The nearly 50kg weight gain over the last 20 years is due to safety improvements such as halos, a stronger chassis and better driver protection.

“Again, no one wants to compromise on that.” FIA representative says“There are about 15-20 kg due to the more complex system of the car.”

10% weight reduction may be possible

Due to the increased size of the car compared to 20 years ago, it weighs only 30-35 kg. The 2001 Renault R2 was almost a meter shorter than the 2017 Mercedes W8

Tombasis continues, ”And we believe there is an opportunity in the dimensions of the car, and we would like the 2026 machine to be quite short and perhaps a bit narrower, all of which would allow us to keep the weight gain down.

On the one hand, it uses more electricity, so the battery will increase and the weight will increase a little. ”

“So the net effect I want will be a little lighter, but not by much.” Concludes FIA single-seater officers.

Nimble and exciting F1 car goes down in history

By failing to significantly revise the power unit for 2026, the FIA ​​has once again failed to regulate a smaller, agile and exciting car for drivers and fans alike.

The FIA ​​has opted to focus F1’s power on fully sustainable fuels, adding three times the power. This means less fuel to burn.

In 2013, 160kg of fuel was used in the race, and by 2020 it has been reduced to just 100kg. F1 is targeting just 70kg for new sustainable fuel power units to run the same distances as they do today.

F1 engine cost cap looming

To prevent a repeat of a single power unit manufacturer making Mercedes and spending billions of dollars to build the best new-generation power unit, the FIA ​​said it would regulate engine cost caps.Engineers are technically unlimited. are allowed to innovate the electrical system in the manner of, but dyno hours are further restricted.

Of course, the limit of three power units per season per driver effectively means you can’t make unlimited changes on a regular basis.

FIA’s Green Agenda

As their vision at Formula1.com explains, many will feel that the FIA ​​has failed to focus on making on-track racing better, sacrificing this for a green agenda.

“Formula 1 is committed to keeping more materials on the ground with a goal of environmental responsibility. Materials are recycled.

“With these new power units, the future of Formula 1 will be as fast and exciting as ever, but more sustainable, relevant and responsible than ever.

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