The 2022 F1 cars were slower than the 2021 F1 cars
During last winter, a new regulation came into effect to govern the design of single-seaters. The F1 cars of the 2022 version have become heavier and have lost speed compared to their counterparts from 2021. Result.
It was the big unknown of the start of the 2022 season: the new regulations. As a reminder, the cars underwent a transformation during the winter to improve the on-track spectacle. Beyond significant changes in aerodynamics, the cars have also gained weight (over 25 kilograms).
Heavier, but not slower?
It was one of the fears for Formula 1 fans: would the increase in weight and size have an impact on the way races are conducted, particularly when it comes to overtaking? It can clearly be said today that the regulations have not only brought advantages.
At the dawn of the start of the championship, the FIA had predicted a time loss estimated between 3 and 3.5 seconds per lap depending on the circuits. It was a difference compared to 2021, but it was supposed to remain invisible to the naked eye. The decision-makers were clear: the on-track spectacle would not be impacted.
However, as the season progressed, it quickly became apparent that these new F1 cars were much less agile than their predecessors. This observation was particularly noticeable in urban circuits, especially in Monaco. While overtaking has never been easy in the Principality, it is now almost impossible, as the single-seaters take up so much space in terms of both width and length.
Lost time, but less than expected.
The qualifications for the Brazilian Grand Prix took place in 2022 on a wet track, leading to Magnussen’s feat and explaining the slower time. In Barcelona, the circuit was slightly modified, making the comparison more complicated.
On the contrary, it was sometimes tighter, especially in Baku (a tenth between the two poles of Leclerc in 2021 and 2022), or even in Monaco (only one second). But there is no discussion possible: in terms of single lap performance, the 2021 cars were faster.
In terms of race pace, there are also significant gaps: nearly 6 seconds faster this year in Barcelona and almost 3 seconds in Hungary. However, the fastest lap was faster twice in 2022: by six tenths of a second in France and by almost eight tenths of a second in Monza.
The gap has not increased throughout the season.
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Interesting fact: the gaps in performance did not decrease or increase throughout the season. In 2021, the global competition forced the leading teams to continue developing until the end of the season. This season, the budget cap somewhat limited everyone’s investments, and the teams were not able to enjoy the same financial freedom as in previous years.
However, the gap with 2021 did not increase at the end of the season, except for Brazil. In Abu Dhabi, for instance, the gap of 1.715 seconds between Verstappen’s two poles is in line with the season’s average.
Despite everything, the 2022 F1 cars are still slower than their predecessors on most tracks, but the aerodynamic changes have nonetheless made on-track battles easier. That is undoubtedly the true successful bet of these new cars.
