F1 2021 Regulation changes
Discussion
https://motorsport.tech/formula-1/f1-2021-regulati...
As this is likely to have a huge impact on the future of F1, perhaps this thread could become a sticky to post future articles and comment.
As this is likely to have a huge impact on the future of F1, perhaps this thread could become a sticky to post future articles and comment.
TheDeuce said:
Wow, a lot of spec parts. And a return of ground effect... Suits me but didn't they regulate to reduce ground effect as the cars were getting too fast?
When they ran with skirts, the wings were like tea-trays, just there to regulate airflow. Then they moved to active suspension, and then to the plank was introduced mid-1990s. That’s a heck of a long time in F1 terms. In those days, I f the car became airborne it was a death-trap. This aero is now intended to be more balanced, but with a return to rear wing under structures to excite the diffuser more. The key to design will to be not make the car draggy after removing bargeboards and other peripherals.
Personally, I wish they had returned to a controlled active suspension. I think current computing and hydraulics could mean that every team could run an optimised floor in all parts of any circuit - sort of introducing a race-what-you-bring concept.
Decent tyre compounds could also be used. Race and qualifying only with mandatory stops, so even Monaco could become more exciting again.
Did you see the article saying that introducing the actual regs would be left very late to prevent the current top teams doing a shedload of research before the cost cap come in?
I feel certain that if any group can finally bring about a set of solid and sensible regs, it will be Ross Brawn and his team. The teams have run rings around the FIA for far too long.
I feel certain that if any group can finally bring about a set of solid and sensible regs, it will be Ross Brawn and his team. The teams have run rings around the FIA for far too long.
TheDeuce said:
With any big shift in the sport, some drivers/teams are likely to fall out of their comfort zone. Realistically though, Mercedes and Ferrari will probably navigate it fairly well - there is nothing stopping them spending limitless amounts of money on R&D for every likely permutation of the final regs between now and 2021. Although of course, it's still a time when they could get caught out - it's not guaranteed that they'll walk down the right R&D path heading to 2021, it's just fairly likely they will.
The midfield, anything could happen.
I think the cream always rises to the top, so I do not believe there will any big changes.The midfield, anything could happen.
Another thing that is likely to change is that DRS will probably go and KERS will become a big push to pass mode for drivers to use tactically. I don’t think that any of the current drivers aren’t out-and-out racers. How good? is the only question.
They all despise the current “manage resources” formula.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fia-tender-brak...
The FIA has invited tenders for standard 18inch wheel rims and all brake components for 2021. But they may be the tip of the iceberg.
The FIA has invited tenders for standard 18inch wheel rims and all brake components for 2021. But they may be the tip of the iceberg.
I think it is the evolution that they want to cut out. Using lots of standard bits is a significant start.
If all significant aero parts are barcoded, like the FIA currently do with tyres, then everything is traceable. Nothing new goes on the car without prior approval.
Currently, I expect that scruitineering the Merc, Ferrari and Red Bull takes a lot longer than for the rest of the field. It is where the big budgets make the greatest difference.
My expectation that a tub design will last several years in the future, meaning they can be subcontracted to a Dallara, without any big loss of advantage.
If all significant aero parts are barcoded, like the FIA currently do with tyres, then everything is traceable. Nothing new goes on the car without prior approval.
Currently, I expect that scruitineering the Merc, Ferrari and Red Bull takes a lot longer than for the rest of the field. It is where the big budgets make the greatest difference.
My expectation that a tub design will last several years in the future, meaning they can be subcontracted to a Dallara, without any big loss of advantage.
A bit of speculation on Venturi side pods, but I feel certain it will be the direction the F1 will be headed in 2021.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/new-f1-car-desi...
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/new-f1-car-desi...
Seb hitting Max last Sunday demonstrated perfectly that when you get with a couple of metres of the car in front, you have zero downforce on the front wing.
For a point of reference every race car since the mid-60s has made use of ground effects. Prior to that the theory was always streamline based. GE is l literally, the study of the aerodynamic effects when a body is travelling at the air / ground interface. First noticed when aircraft take off.
What has been missing from F1 has been sidepods with Venturis. These were made hugely effective with skirts. Banning skirts was correct as downforce was lost when running kerbs at the apex, but Venturi sidepods should have remained rather than teams only being allowed to exploit diffusers.
However whenever two cars are in close proximity the following car will lose front end grip. That can be reduced, but ultimately is unavoidable.
For a point of reference every race car since the mid-60s has made use of ground effects. Prior to that the theory was always streamline based. GE is l literally, the study of the aerodynamic effects when a body is travelling at the air / ground interface. First noticed when aircraft take off.
What has been missing from F1 has been sidepods with Venturis. These were made hugely effective with skirts. Banning skirts was correct as downforce was lost when running kerbs at the apex, but Venturi sidepods should have remained rather than teams only being allowed to exploit diffusers.
However whenever two cars are in close proximity the following car will lose front end grip. That can be reduced, but ultimately is unavoidable.
vaud said:
Looks fine to me.
What is the impact on suspension design in having significantly less sidewall?
Currently the tyres are the suspension, the teams would generally prefer lower tyre pressures.What is the impact on suspension design in having significantly less sidewall?
The purpose of what we think of as the suspension components is to present the aero to the air in the most favourable manner. That’s why a common active suspension would have been a good idea.
So it is a lot more than just bolting different wheels on with a different compound. Everything will need to be re-engineered, or the cars will be pretty underivable over a typical race distance.
Edited by rdjohn on Thursday 12th September 20:28
It looks like Covid-19 has caused a sudden outbreak of common sense
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-teams-approv...
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-teams-approv...
budgie smuggler said:
Good idea, assuming the worst teams have the budget available to make use of it.
The object of the changes are to close up the field to make it look something like a race of 20 competitors. I doubt Williams will be threatening Mercedes and Ferrari, but they could be on the same lap at the end.Having 25% more aero time in year-1 will make little difference, but over 5, or so, it could make a massive difference, especially when the big teams are shedding quality staff I to meet their budget cap.
The cap and standardised parts might bring Racing Point, Mercedes and Renault into play. The aero change will only give the others a gentle leg-up.
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