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Bahrain was confirmed last week as the season-opening grand prix – setting it up at pole to see the new 2022 F1 cars in race action when new regulations are introduced next year.
During the weekend of March 18 – 20, F1 fans around the world will wait with bated breath to see if Mercedes and Red Bull’s cars continue their reign during a regime that is trying to make the action closer and more exciting.
“We are excited to announce the 2022 calendar as we prepare to enter a new era for the sport with brand new regulations and cars for next year that are designed to create closer racing,” F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali noted.
The new regulations, due to be seen during this season of racing, were delayed due to Covid-19. Racing pundits believe it offers the potential of more overtaking.
Currently, barring inclement weather and driver error, it is next to impossible for midfield and backfield cars to catch up with the Mercedes and Red Bulls on track. Part of the reason is downforce loss when chasing a leading car – some estimates put the loss at nearly 35 per cent when running three car-lengths behind, with the loss increasing as you get closer.
But the new car will rely on ‘ground effect’ – an aerodynamic phenomenon which will reduce the loss to just 4pc.
The new regulations will also see the return of wheel covers – which haven’t been seen in more than a decade. Again, this is intended so that teams don’t intentionally increase the downforce by directing disruptive airflow out through the tyres.
The wheels will also be larger in 2022, to prevent overheating when sliding – a frequent hallmark of this season which saw drivers like Max Verstappen and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton succumb to a busted tyre.
When it comes to the shape of the car, there is evidence all around the body, culminating from the last decade of incremental improvements. The front wing is completely redesigned to generate consistent downforce, especially when chasing another car.
“F1’s Motorsports team did initially carry out investigations into running the 2022 car without a front wing at all, before deciding against it,” a statement from F1 noted.
The rear wing will also be redesigned, and while the aesthetic and smooth curves have been the talk of the town, it also serves a very important aerodynamic function.
“The shape and position of the 2022 car’s rear wing creates a rotational airflow that collects the rear wheel air and rolls it into the flow exiting the diffuser – forming an invisible ‘mushroom’-shaped wake,” an F1 engineer explained.
“This narrower wake is then thrown – thanks also to a steeper diffuser ramp – high up into the air, allowing a following car to drive through less disrupted ‘clean air’.”
The cars will also be run on more sustainable fuel, as the sport revamps its image of conspicuous consumption into a more ecologically conscious one.
E10 fuel will be used – comprised of 10pc ethanol, hence the name – and it is required to have a near-zero carbon footprint.
The new body also integrates lessons from some of the biggest accidents in the last few years – including the fiery crash in Bahrain, from which Haas driver Romain Grosjean miraculously escaped.
The chassis will now absorb 48pc and 15pc more energy respectively in the front and rear impact tests, as well as greater forces in the static ‘squeeze’ tests required to homologate the chassis and certify their strength.
“Lessons have been learned, too, from recent major crashes, including that of Romain Grosjean at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix – with the cars now designed in such a way that, in the event of a crash, the power unit will separate from the chassis in a safe manner without exposing the fuel tank,” added the F1 engineer.
