With only 170 days to go until 2022, the countdown is on as Formula 1 enters an exciting new era today as the FIA and F1 governing body unvieled the 2022 car at a special event which was livestreamed for the entire world to see.
The launch, presented by the Global Partners of F1, is the start of an action-packed weekend for Formula 1 and the FIA at Silverstone as we get ready for the first ever ‘Sprint’ event on Saturday 17th July, before the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix on Sunday 18th July.
“There is huge excitement ahead of this new era, and while 2021 has been a great battle we still have cars struggling to follow each other during the race,” said Ross Brawn, Managing Director of Motorsport at Formula 1. “The regulations for 2022 will address this problem and create an opportunity for closer battles and more wheel-to-wheel racing. The combined effect of the new aerodynamic regulations and financial rules, in the form of the cost cap, will create the conditions for a more balanced championship and for the gaps across the grid to close.”
While images of the car were initially released in 2019, the global pandemic put plans to use the new design on hold until after the current 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship, when a comprehensive new set of rules and regulations will also come into effect.
“It feels like a very long time ago the FIA officially unveiled the regulations for the future of the sport, but after the one-year delay due to the pandemic it’s only 170 days to go until the start of 2022 when we will see the next generation of Formula 1 cars take to the track,” added Brawn.
The new car, alongside the regulations and financial regulations already in place, are targeted at promoting closer racing and a more balanced competition, to create wheel-to-wheel action and better allow drivers to battle on track. For 2022, teams will also use new 18-inch Pirelli tires and the car will be focussed more on aerodynamics to ensure cars can follow each other more closely and improve the chances of overtakes.
“2022 will herald a new era for the FIA Formula One World Championship, with the introduction of one of the biggest changes in regulations in the history of the sport,” said Nikolas Tombazis, Single-Seater Technical Director, FIA. “The FIA has led a superb collaborative effort with Formula 1 and the teams to identify the areas we feel will have the biggest impact on the ability of the cars to race each other closely on the track, and in combination with the Financial Regulations that are already in place, these new Technical Regulations should have a great positive impact on the spectacle but also on the sustainability of our Sport.”