Credits: Formula-1
The 2022 Formula-1 car has been designed specifically to promote better racing, which it achieves through revolutionary aerodynamics.
Ultimate Engineering:
F1 cars can currently lose up to half of the downforce that gives them grip around the corners when following behind another car. The dirty air from the car in front makes them unstable to drive. On the 2022 car, the front wing, and the nose concept has been completely rethought to combat this problem. The revised rear wing design features rolled tips to push the air higher as it comes from the back of the car allowing the chasing cars to stay closer during the corners and the new 3D-shaped floor generates a much more efficient downforce without disrupting the airflow behind. When combined the benefits are striking. Current generations of cars are facing the loss of downforce around 35% when 20 meters distance and 46% when 10-meters distance. But the change in the 2022 car reduces these figures to just 4% when 20-meter distance and 18% when in the 10-meter distance, meaning chasing car closer is possible for longer and keep the pressure on the driver ahead.
Burning Rubber:
Another big change is wheels, increasing in size from 13 to 18 inches. With F1 cars also set to run low profile tires for the first time. In addition, the spoke wheel bodywork has been added including wheel covers and wake control winglets to enhance all-important airflow. To improve racing, Pirelli, FIA, and Formula-1 have worked closely taking input from the teams to find new requirements for the tires with the aim of stopping them from overheating when they slide too much.
Unrivaled Efficiency:
F1 turbo hybrid power units are already the most efficient engines ever created. Their thermal efficiency and the ability to turn a small amount of fuel into a large amount of energy are incredible. While energy recovery and battery systems are already at the cutting edge technology but for 2022, they will be pushed to improve the future with changes to introduce standard components to the fuel system and add additional sensors to allow FIA to monitor the power unit better. But the major change is the adoption of the new fuel called E10, which will contain 10% ethanol which must be second-generation biofuel made in a sustainable way, in other words, it should have zero carbon footprint. F1 is committed to introducing the fully sustained fuel in the near future and subject to the research is intense.
Safety First:
Formula-1 remains a dangerous sport and the push for continuous improvements in safety are relentless. But the 2022 cars need to withstand 15% more energy in the front and rear impact tests. While lessons learned directly from Roman's crash in Bahrain, mean that engines must be separated from the chassis in a safe manner without exposing them to the fuel tank. Every chassis on the grid has to pass a severe static compress test in order for FIA to approve. The effect of chassis changes and tire size, the weight of 2022 car has gone up by 5% which reduce the lap time achieved in 2021 but these improvements in better racing and safety.