Formula 1 | Official: FIA Amends F1 Technical Regulations
The FIA World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss changes to Formula 1 rules for this year and next. Several items will be changed in the Technical Regulation next year.
In addition, the FIA also confirmed procedural errors occurred at Suzuka when Pierre Gasly drove in front of a crane that was sent onto the track in torrential rain.
Stronger roll cage, bigger mirrors
Events that happened this year will be used next year, as is often the case. Guanyu Zhou’s horrific crash at the start of the British Grand Prix will lead to tougher tests on the F1 roll bar.
As expected, these will have to meet tougher strength tests than before. In 2024, “knife” type rollers like the Alfa Romeo will be banned outright and simple.
The part must be able to withstand heavier loads and withstand a 15G impact with the ground. Additionally, from 2023, the roll bar must be able to withstand forward and rear forces. The standards will come into effect in a few weeks.
The mirrors will be enlarged after the teams test larger prototypes of the mirrors designed for drivers’ rear vision. The purpose of these is to reduce the blind spot.
Raised floor edges
The World Council also approved the decision to raise the edges of the floor. The FIA originally wanted to increase the edges of the floor by 25 millimeters, but later it was clarified that this should be reduced to 15 millimeters. It was approved by the World Council.
In addition, a maximum vertical deflection of five millimeters in both directions will be allowed until 2023. Currently, there is a maximum allowable deflection of eight millimeters for the lower load and 12 millimeters for the upper load.
Expansion of the “groove” of the floor
Floor “grooves” will always be raised to limit uncontrolled movement of single seaters. This is the narrowest part of the groove under the floor near the center of the car.
This is where the air velocity is highest, but this narrow section can cause the airflow to slow down too much, causing changes in air pressure and therefore sudden changes in temperature.
Changing this will usually limit the effect of blocking this airflow, making the car less affected by ride height changes. Stability and comfort should be increased.
More accurate sensors to measure vibrations
The vertical forces experienced by F1 drivers from Spa-Francorchamps are measured by sensors originally designed to record the impact of collisions. So these sensors do double duty for the rest of this season.
These have a crucial role in the fight against porpoising and its side effects. But by 2023, there will be special sensors to more accurately measure the vertical forces experienced by pilots.
The weight of F1 cars has been revised downwards for 2023
Here’s some news that will please the purists: In 2023, the minimum weight of cars will be slightly reduced. A minimum weight of 796 kilograms will be applied in 2023 against 798 kilograms in 2022.
The change follows an upward revision of the minimum weight for the 2022 F1 season, with most teams struggling to reach the originally planned 795 kilos.
Fuel temperature is adjusted for air
The FIA decided to change the rules after several fuel temperature issues during the 2022 F1 season. In 2022, fuel should not be below 20°C, and from 2023, the temperature should not be more than 10°C below ambient temperature.
In cold weather, a general minimum temperature of 10°C will apply. The ambient temperature will be recorded by the meteorological service appointed by the FIA one hour before practice or three hours before the race.
