F1 2022: All-new cars and cost rules create ‘dream’ hope of a more competitive sport, says Stefano Domenicali
Stefano Domenicali on his hopes for the biggest change in technical rules in Formula 1 history; 2022 cars will feature heavily revised aerodynamics aimed at increasing competition on the track; car launches expected from mid-February
By James Galloway
Last update: 01/10/22 2:48 PM
Sky F1’s Jenson Button and Ted Kravitz got their first look at the new 2022 car last summer and explained what’s new
Sky F1’s Jenson Button and Ted Kravitz got their first look at the new 2022 car last summer and explained what’s new
F1 chief Stefano Domenicali hopes that the “dream” of more drivers competing at the front of the field will begin to come true in the early years of the new era of sport regulation.
In what is perhaps the biggest overhaul of the technical rules of the sport, cars are modified in the hope that they can follow each other more closely, increasing the opportunities for overtaking.
The technical rules go hand in hand with the budget cap first introduced last year and other interrelated regulations designed to better control development costs and level the playing field across the network.
“I really hope that in the future, with the introduction of new regulations, it will allow other drivers to fight to show who they are,” said Domenicali, president and CEO of F1, in an interview with Sky Sports F1 at the end. from last season.
“It will truly be the dream of the next two years.”
Last season was the first time since 2012 that a world title fight between drivers from two different teams ended with a wire. Mercedes and Red Bull won 20 of 22 races, with Alpine and McLaren each winning an unexpected triumph.
Only three times so far this century (2003, 2008 and 2012) has more than four teams won races in a single season.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali chats with Rachel Brookes of Sky F1 at Qatar GP
Sky F1’s Jenson Button: “It’s a massive regulatory change. I’m sure one team will find something different from the others.
“It’s more difficult for the teams and these cars won’t be easy to drive either. I can’t wait to see what the best in the world do with this machine.
“I hope it won’t be just Lewis [Hamilton] and Max [Verstappen] fight for the championship, hopefully there will be a few other guys from different teams on the grid as well. “
Writing in a LinkedIn column, Nico Hulkenberg, 179 race veteran and 2021 Aston Martin reserve driver, said adaptability will be key. Winter testing begins in Spain on February 23.
“I’m also looking forward to seeing which team and which driver gets the best start,” Hulkenberg wrote.
A 2022 Williams concept car with the 2021 livery
“This is where the wheat will be separated from the chaff, and these are the guys who learn fast, adapt quickly and adapt well to the new conditions that will be right up front at the start.
“Later in the year things may change as it will be a huge learning curve for everyone involved. The development racing teams are here, will make order in such a long season.
“It’s too early to make predictions although I would be very surprised if the best teams from previous years were not close to the front.”