This is how the Formula 1 revolution looks like for 2021! FIA and Formula 1 have presented regulations on the sidelines of the USA GP in Austin to bridge the gap between rich and poor teams, facilitate overtaking and improve the show. F1-insider.com puts the new technical regulations under a microscope!
The basic structure of the engine remains the same (1.6-liter V6 turbo plus two electric motors). But Formula 1 wants to have a green image. Therefore, the gasoline from 2021 must contain at least 20 percent biofuel.
Many parts are being standardized, for example the high-pressure gasoline pump system. Others have to last longer. The teams are allowed to use a maximum of eight exhaust systems per vehicle. This increases the minimum weight of the engine from 145 to 150 kilograms.
In general, the car is heavier: The minimum weight increases by 25 kilograms to 768 kilos. The reasons: larger 18-inch tires, prohibition of expensive and lighter materials, more unit parts and improved safety.
The cars slow down between three and 3.5 seconds. Because the output is to be reduced by 20 percent, so there is more overtaking.
Formula 1 sports director Ross Brawn: “We have designed cars that are better at competing with each other.”
Background: Currently, the pilots have difficulty to follow the driver ahead in curves due to the swirling air caused by the car in front. Because the rear-end car loses downforce due to the “dirty air”. At a distance of one car length, the output loss is more than 50 percent, with three car lengths still 32 percent.
With the new cars, these values are to be reduced to 14 percent output loss at one and only six percent for three car lengths. For this to work, aerodynamics is simpler, so it generates less bad air.
Much of the contact pressure is gained via the soil effect. The underbody has two tunnels underneath the car, each starting with three air ducts and ending in a huge diffuser. This arrangement presses the car onto the road. Even the front wing is less complicated, instead designed in retro-chic. It is curved, grows from a lower nose and has only three elements left.
Side baffles are almost completely omitted. The side boxes are short and strong retracted, the endplates of the now much smaller rear wing act like an arrow. This should make the cars look sleek above all else.
Lower cost should also be ensured by simpler suspension systems, other unit parts and longer terms of individual parts. The design of the gearbox is frozen for five years. The cars should still visually differ from each other. That was a criticism of the top teams, who feared too much uniformity in the development.
Fotos: Credit: Formel 1
