Mercedes F1’s Lewis Hamilton says the latest regulations introduced in F1 from 2022 have not delivered what the sport’s chiefs insisted. After being postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 epidemic, an overhaul of the technical regulations finally started at the beginning of last season.
The overriding aim of the new era of F1 was to encourage closer racing with continued budget caps and extensive aerodynamic testing focused on shrinking fields. However, unexpected bouncing occurred early in last season, forcing the FIA to issue a technical directive mid-season. The 2023 guidelines have since changed, requiring all teams to raise the floor edge of their latest F1 cars by 15mm. Ferrari drivers declared after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that it would be as difficult to keep up with other cars as it was in previous generations. Sainz believes the decline in overtaking over the first two races compared to the previous year was entirely due to regulation adjustments to counter porpassing. However, Hamilton believes “nothing has changed” and argues that the current regulations have not yet delivered what was expected. Asked about the dirty air coming out of F1 cars in 2023, Hamilton said: “No, it’s the same as in the past.” “Last year we had a lot of turbulence and bouncing, but this year there is no bouncing, so it’s less of a problem for the trailing car.” We haven’t done it all, so we need to improve some things for the future.” Ross Brawn, who recently stepped down as F1 chief, said before the start of last year that the new regulations would allow midfield teams to race. Said he would take control. Last season, however, McLaren’s Lando Norris was the only other team to finish on the podium outside Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull. But this year, with Aston Martin’s resurgence, it’s more likely that other cars will overturn the existing order. Despite Red Bull’s dominance heading into 2023, Aston Martin wants to join Ferrari and Mercedes for podium rights alongside champions Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Fernando Alonso scored his third straight podium finish in the much-improved AMR23, and Aston Martin is currently second in the constructors’ standings. The next revision of the regulations is scheduled for 2026, and both the aerodynamic and engine formulas will change significantly. Brawn has already hinted that he should aim for a lighter, shorter car and ditch the unpopular MGU-H as a more road-friendly power unit. Following this confirmation, the Volkswagen Group announced its entry into F1, while Audi decided to acquire a majority stake in the Sauber-owned team (now operated as Alfa Romeo) until the end of the season. However, Porsche has tried to partner with McLaren or Red Bull without success and recently ended similar attempts. Instead, Red Bull will partner with Ford to jointly work on the 2026 powertrain. Ford will return to Formula 1 for the first time since 2004. Red Bull’s current partner Honda has expressed interest in F1 engine rules for 2026 and says the Japanese manufacturer has already been approached by several teams.
