The new Formula 1 cars for the 2022 season will only be half a second per lap slower than the 2021 cars at the start of the next championship and will most likely be faster than their predecessor’s pace by the end of 2022, F1 official tyre manufacturer Pirelli believes.
Formula 1 will introduce new technical regulations for the 2022 season, with the aim of improving racing by reducing the effect of so-called ‘dirty air’, which should allow drivers to follow the car ahead of them more easily. As a result, simplified aerodynamic components are expected for next championship, including the elimination of bargeboards, while there are alterations elsewhere.
Pirelli’s new-for-2022 18-inch tyres are heavier than the 13-inch specifications, which explains part of the 40kg weight increase, while fuel must now contain 10 per cent bio-components, adding to the challenge for fuel suppliers.
“According to the latest simulations from the teams, the new cars will be around five tenths of a second slower than the current cars. [That is a] gap that they will probably manage to overcome anyway by the end of next season.” – Pirelli’s head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola explained.
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The new tyres were evaluated during a two-day testing session at the Yas Marina circuit after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the Italian company was encouraged by initial feedback. Drivers ran mule cars – the majority of them from the 2019 Formula 1 season – that were modified in order to accommodate the larger and heavier wheels. Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who took to the track on the second day of testing, confirmed that a change to the driving style will be needed as a result of the new Pirelli tyres.
“I have to say in general we found first of all the delta lap time between compounds in line with our tyre development test, so I can say this number is quite in line with our findings during the year. We need to keep in mind that mule cars were used and that the goal of this test was to allow the teams a chance to gather data to analyse over the winter. We’ll only get a true picture at the start of next year, when the teams will be able to test these tyres with 2022 cars, which will have completely different aerodynamics, different brakes, and wheel rim covers as well.” – Pirelli’s head of Formula 1 and car racing concluded.
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