F1 2021 Rules - General Discussion Thread

They look like they are shorter, are they? I hate how long the current cars are aesthetically.

yeah the barge boards are really ridiculous at the moment. Let's hope the research is right and it creates better racing.

The only thing I'd change about the thread is that maybe a "2021 Rules" would be a more indicative title for now, considering there's a full other season in between

As for the car's render...I'm on the fence. It's not a looker, like the Formula E car the taste is "what would a 5 years old tasked with 'draw a fassst race car' come up with", but pure looks are somewhat secondary. Changing that horrible "funnel" rear wing to an Indycar-style (or F1 1980s style) central-pylon wing would already help massively. Also, I'm a fan of cars without an airscoop, and the engines being forced induction it could be done without. There is still plenty of space for sponsorship.

The front wing is where there will still be problems: it's too massive and still too complex. As F1's technological research relevance is not bound strictly on aerodynamics, they shouldn't be afraid of going backwards a few decades in that department. Have a flat, straight, narrower and shorter front wing with only one horizontal, reverse wing-profile plane generating low drag downforce, and one adjustable flap plane for high drag. The width shouldn't go past the inside of the front wheel rims.

The sharklet-like design of the endplates is actually very clever in terms of cleaning the air (it arguably works better than the "wingtip fence" used so far in F1, ask Airbus) and perhaps more interestingly, should present a much lower risk of puncturing tires in case of contact. It's probably sturdier too.

I need to brush up my notions on ground effect, but seeing where the inlet vanes are, I wouldn't want for the front wing to negatively affect the airspeed getting in there. But I'd imagine much better engineers than myself will have thought about that

Lastly, it's been stated cars will be between 3.5 to 5 seconds per lap slower than current ones, which is a great thing and the way to go. Slower speeds mean wider margins and more room for drivers to make mistakes without being harshly punished by the consequences, which in turn means more aggression and "seeking the limit".

Obviously, people are already complaining that "cars will be sloooooowww!! Buhuuuaaa!!". They'll never learn.

I actually like the cars, there's something a lot more simple and 'pure' about them, than the current beasts. `Granted they're a bit copy-book race car looking, but that's not always a bad thing - again, I like them! Hopefully the numbers tally, and we see much closer racing by 2021.

I've a feeling someone will ace the new designs though, like the ground effect system, and reap the rewards. A bit like Vettel mastering the blown diffuser, while Webber seemed to have difficulty mastering it.

Inviere wrote: »

I can see it now, the year is 2035, and people are giving out that the lap records are all 15+ years old. Queue faster cars, rinse & repeat Joking aside, I wonder where F1 will be in 15 years time...what sort of balance will it have struck with fossil and renewable energy? Where will F-E stand? Interesting times...

Bold prediction - F1 will still be pretty much the pinnacle; Formula E will have disappeared into oblivion, after electric battery powered motors will have proven to be, once again, unsuitable for transportation - and more importantly, people finally waking up from the marketing drumming and realizing the problem is not what the engines run ON, is the whole idea behind moving 1500 Kg of steel in order to bring 100 Kg (change the ratio to 2000kg:45kg in the case of SUV driving small ladies) of meat and bones to and from work every day.

But then again, that would need people to be rational...

Inquitus wrote: »

When would see first see live tests of these cars should things progress to the FIA's satisfaction between now and the run up to the 2021 season?

Probably March 2021, these cars won't meet 2020 regs so it's not like anyone will get to do a few sessions next year with a '21 package.

Could use Hydrogen?

The broadcaster take the helicopter apart and fly it in a jumbo to each race....

But if we all drink our water or hino from a recyclable cup its all good. :rolleyes:

They also don't know how they will do it as they are looking for someone for the position.