Martin Brundle proposes a weight allowance for liveries with the least apparent carbon
Single-seaters are being painted less and less, and more and more black, to save weight. To get back to fully painted F1 cars, Martin Brundle is proposing to grant a weight allowance to teams whose single-seaters are fully colored.
Since 2022 and the introduction of the new chassis regulations, F1 cars have never been as heavy. In the first year, Williams had removed paint from its FW44 in order to reduce weight and improve performance. However, this strategy did not really pay off as the British team finished the 2022 season in last place in the constructors’ standings with 8 points, 27 units behind AlphaTauri in ninth place.
Last year, many teams left more carbon fiber exposed on their single-seaters. Mercedes had the least amount of paint on the entire grid. The W14 was all black, as it had been in 2020 and 2021.
A weight allocation for the most comprehensive liveries?
As all the liveries have been unveiled, it appears evident that the amount of exposed carbon fiber on the racecars is more significant than in 2023. Only Aston Martin, Red Bull, Ferrari, and especially Visa Cash App RB have liveries with little to no visible carbon fiber.
Fans are disappointed to see that with this technique, Formula 1 cars are starting to look more and more alike. F1 commentator on the BBC and former driver Martin Brundle is suggesting a solution to encourage teams to have liveries without visible carbon.
The teams should be rewarded with a weight allowance for more complete liveries that will stand out on the track for spectators and television viewers. The pack should be dynamic, it’s F1. Some of them look dark and half-finished, he suggests.
It remains to be seen during the season whether certain liveries will evolve and if the colors will take on a bigger role on the various single-seaters.
