McLaren group principal Andrea Stella believes that the present technology of Components 1 automobiles are naturally tougher to overhaul at excessive velocity, low downforce circuits.
The game launched radical new technical rules for the 2022 season final 12 months, permitting groups to use underbody floor impact aerodynamics for the primary time in 4 a long time in a bid to permit for nearer racing.
Nevertheless, whereas drivers have routinely mentioned that the brand new technology of automobiles allowed them to run nearer to rivals forward than earlier automobiles, drivers have been complaining concerning the affect of soiled air making it tough to overhaul more and more this season.
Requested whether or not the restrictions of F1’s rule adjustments had been starting to point out 18 months after their introduction, Stella mentioned that information suggests drivers do have a greater time working nearer to automobiles behind in comparison with 2021.
“I feel what now we have noticed already final 12 months with this new technology of automobiles is unquestionably simpler to observe within the corners,” Stella defined.
“We noticed some tracks the place it was very tough to overhaul, like Hungary as an example, they’re now tracks in which you’ll be able to observe. After which in complexes the place you have got corners and as soon as you’ll be able to exit of the final nook, you’re truly nearer to the automotive forward after which you’ll be able to assault due to the DRS. So I might say this facet of racing has been helped very a lot by the brand new technology of automobiles.”
With the introduction of floor impact aerodynamics, there had been hypothesis about lowering and even eliminating the controversial Drag Discount System overtaking support. Nevertheless, F1 drivers have been vocal of their views that the divisive system should stay to permit them to proceed to make on-track passes.
Stella believes the character of the present automobiles means that there’s a clear affect on slipstreaming when automobiles are working low-downforce configurations at excessive velocity tracks like Spa-Francorchamps or Monza.
“When it comes as an alternative to configurations like Spa or Monza, the place it is advisable to have numerous towing impact to overhaul, I feel with this technology of automobiles you have got much less ‘suction’ from the automotive forward, so in this sort of circuit it has truly turn into barely tougher, probably,” Stella defined.
“So there, in order for you, is the 2 faces of the identical medal. However I might welcome the truth that we now can observe automobiles extra simply than it was potential with the earlier technology of automobiles.”
Components 1 will head to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks’ time following the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort to begin the second half of the season subsequent weekend.
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