FIA sets new rule: teams must clearly show changes

A new rule aimed at creating more transparency around the development of a Formula 1 car went into effect in 2022. If teams made changes to the car's aerodynamics, it had to be shown to the media in the pitlane before the car took to the track for the first time during the first free practice session.

While that was very nice for outside people who wanted a view of how their favourite team's development was going, the teams themselves were obviously less enthusiastic about it. After all, the competition could just as easily watch and possibly mimic everything in order to negate possible advantages. Therefore, teams devised a clever trick: if only one of the two cars went on track with the new modifications, the other car was always shown to the media and the other teams. As a result, the modified car was still a surprise when it first took to the track.

This trick is banned from now on

Although it was a creative action by the teams, it is patently not the intention of the rule. Therefore, the rules have been amended to prevent it from being done again. The FIA now explicitly states that if only one of the two cars is upgraded, that car must be specifically shown to the media prior to the time the car first comes into action. The rule is specifically focused on visible changes, such as changes to the car's aerodynamics and chassis.