FIA: 'Updates by some F1 teams not in line with spirit of regulations'
General
- GPblog.com
Last week in Barcelona we saw the 2022 cars of all the teams in action for the first time. Some of the teams showed more than others, but it is certain that everyone is developing at a fast pace at the moment. Many updates are expected, but the FIA has already seen that they are out of line with the way the rules are intended.
Anything that might be in a grey area, we have not seen in Barcelona on the new cars. That is what an anonymous engineer says in conversation with Auto, Motor und Sport. According to him no team has yet shown its cards at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Teams are pushing the envelope
The same German medium also states that it has heard the following from FIA circles: 'From the CAD data for the legality check of the updates it is already apparent that some teams are sailing close to the wind and coming up with solutions that are not entirely in keeping with the spirit of the regulations.' Ultimately, it is up to the FIA to monitor this and intervene if necessary.
The international motorsport federation is very alert in 2022 anyway. With the new regulations there are logically a lot of different ideas to make your own car faster. Designers are always looking for grey areas or sometimes they cross the line when there is a loophole in the law. It is up to the FIA to check this and they are busy doing so. In Spain for example Red Bull was visited by the FIA regarding the rear wing of the RB18.
Updates we will see in Bahrain
Teams in Bahrain will mainly come up with solutions for the floor to prevent 'porpoising'. Mercedes and Red Bull Racing are expected to make many updates in Bahrain, while Ferrari will reportedly continue to build on the car they started with in Barcelona.