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Motorsport fans have been enjoying a up-close look at the completely revamped 2022 Formula 1 car, sporting a special Bahrain livery at City Centre Bahrain, courtesy of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
The all-new F1 car is set to be introduced this season as part of the biggest revolution of rules in the sport, all of which will come into effect at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 taking place from March 18 to 20 at BIC in Sakhir.
The car features a ground-effect floor, which reduces downforce loss for cars running behind the leading car. In past years, F1 machines lost 35 per cent of their downforce when running three car lengths behind a leading car, while a one car length resulted in a 47pc loss.
The 2022 car reduces those figures to 4pc at 20 metres, rising to just 18pc at 10 metres.
This will lead to closer racing action and more overtaking, according to BIC commercial director Sherif Al Mahdy, who unveiled the new car in Bahrain livery at the Sakhir circuit.
The upcoming season of F1 will also say goodbye to the long-used 13-inch wheels, in favour of Pirelli’s brand new 18-inch tyres. The new Pirelli compounds and constructions for these tyres have been designed to reduce overheating when sliding and reduce the sidewall deflection changes and the resulting aerodynamic wake effect that occurs.
The car looks very different as well, with a redesigned front wing and nose, again primarily to generate consistent downforce when running closely behind another car.
Visually, the starkest changes come at the rear wing, over-wheel winglets and the wheel covers.
Wheel covers have not been seen in the sport since 2009 and have been reintroduced to reduce aerodynamic wake coming off the cars, which can result in loss of control.
The beautiful rear wing looks like it has been borrowed from an art deco gallery. The power unit, however, remains the same this year with the current 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid being carried forward into next season.
The fuel, however, will be different with the bio-component ratio rising to 10pc and the introduction of E10 fuel. This comes as F1 makes a push towards running on more sustainable fuels in the coming years.
Safety is at the forefrontof the design, and Al Mahdy noted that many of the safety revamps were developed after the crash of Romain Grosjean at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
The power unit has now been designed to separate from the chassis safely in the event of a crash, without exposing the fuel tank, as a result of the report published after the 2020 crash.
Taking into account other safety suggestions, the car will also be 5pc heavier from 752kg to 790kg.
The preview of the car at the mall ended on Saturday, and, according to BIC officials, the car will shortly make an appearance at schools and venues across the kingdom during the lead-up to the March 20 Bahrain Gulf Air Grand Prix.
Fans can also visit the BIC stand to buy their tickets for this year’s highly-anticipated race.
Tickets are still available with up to 15 per cent off under BIC’s Early Bird promotion, which is only available for a limited period and it is the last chance for fans to get Grand Prix tickets at reduced prices.
Discounts are also available for children aged three to 12 at 50pc off, with reductions also available to students, those with special needs and senior citizens.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit BIC’s official website bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline on +973-17450000.
