Formula 1: 7 big changes made for the 2022 season

With testing less than one month away and the biggest technical regulation changes in Formula 1 since 2017 coming, what elements will make the difference?

Operating under an entirely new aerodynamic philosophy for the 2022 Formula 1 season, the FIA have focused on creating closer racing and fixing the mistakes made in 2017 with an emphasis on increasing overall pace with wider cars with more aerodynamic potential.

Despite the public assumption that the new regulations will slow cars through reduced aerodynamic capacity, a number of Formula 1 officials have disputed the claims, saying teams will be able to retain similar lap times to the previous generation of cars.

Using electronic models to simulate new aerodynamic concepts, the FIA claim to have developed a car that can retain 31% more downforce than its more veteran counterparts from a single car-length behind. It keeps nearly all of its downforce from a distance of seven car-lengths.

Such a gap with 2021 machinery proved to be a significant difference-maker in pace, often preventing leading cars from reaching the one-second window to catch lapped cars required for a blue flag.

Within these primarily aerodynamic-based technical changes, there are seven key differences that will alter the philosophy and general handling profile of every car.

An emphasis has been placed on removing the sharp edges of components such as the front and rear wings as well as the bargeboards, being that they were the primary proponents of dirty air among this past season’s equipment.

But let’s start off with one that isn’t being talked about as much as it should be.