Formula 1: 7 big changes made for the 2022 season

Formula 1 new technical regulations: No. 6 – 18-inch tires, suspension

Going hand-in-hand, Pirelli will be introducing 18-inch tires for the first time to Formula 1 to pair with their new aerodynamic look. These tires will have a reduced sidewall, resulting in less flex from the tire and a more responsive feel when turning in.

With reduced flex from the sidewall, these new tires will also lose grip much faster and could be much more difficult to drive “on the edge” for fear of losing the rear end and being unable to correct in time.

Drivers will not only have to learn the unique characteristics of each compound throughout the season, but teams will also have to collect as much data as possible about their effective life during testing. This will inevitably lead to a variety of (sadly still one-stop) strategies during the first half of the season.

Potentially more importantly, Formula 1 manufacturers will need to adapt to this new tire construction through their suspension components to provide a stable aerodynamic base and a friendly handling profile for their drivers. The FIA have also added to the difficulty, exchanging torsion bars for coil-over dampers.

Torsion bars are one of the tubular structures running from the central nose to the wheel, which essentially acts as vertical suspension. This element became popular because of its ease to package with a suspension system as well as it being easier to fix and adjust during setup.

In exchange, coil-over dampers have been introduced, simplifying Formula 1 suspension components with a more traditional coil-based suspension.