Formula 1: 3 rule changes to introduce with the 2022 car
By Joe Capraro
The 2022 Formula 1 season will feature a newly designed car with significant changes to aerodynamics, in an attempt to make following closely and overtaking easier for drivers. The FIA should also implement three rule changes to ensure more exciting races.
For the first time since 1974, the top two drivers in the Formula 1 standings entered the season’s final race tied in points. The thrilling season-long championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen captivated avid F1 fans and brought in plenty of new ones.
The FIA managed to schedule-shuffle their way to 22 successful race weekends, and a Formula 1-record 400,000+ fans showed up for the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.
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Kimi Raikkonen and Nikita Mazepin were the only two drivers to miss time due to COVID-19, and there were zero serious on-track injuries despite some ugly collisions. By all measures, this was a successful season, and 2022 promises to be even better.
A new car design will feature a host of significant changes to the aerodynamics. The increase in downforce, especially when following another car closely, should make for many more overtaking opportunities and tighter racing overall.
Formula 1 has always been willing to tweak its cars and rules.
The Formula 1 car has evolved over the years from an open deathtrap, from which the drivers could reach out and give each other high-fives, to a halo-topped safety cell capable of flinging drivers around at 230+ miles per hour, cornering and braking at forces exceeding 6Gs, and surviving crashes at forces more than 10 times beyond that.
Along with those technical changes have come a myriad of adjustments to the rules and protocols around pit stops, changing tires, qualifying, team structure, and just about every other aspect of team racing.
With the cost cap in full effect and the debut of the new car design, the 2022 field should be tighter next year in both on-track action and the final standings.
The FIA should take this opportunity to also consider some rule changes that would help drivers take advantage of the new car — and the more level playing field which next season already promises.