With the Formula One regulations for the 2022 cars, laps were expected to be almost three seconds longer. However, Pirelli let journalist Chris Medland know at the tests now underway in Abu Dhabi that they expect the new cars to be perhaps half a second slower than the current cars.
This is quite surprising, as it was expected that the cars would be at least two to three seconds slower at the start of next season. From 2022 onwards there are stricter downforce restrictions, there is an increased minimum weight and due to a new fuel mix there seems to be less power available for the power sources.
Nevertheless, the cars are more than two seconds faster than initially thought. Where could that come from? The rules were already presented in 2018, but postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. So all teams have had a year to develop at the factory. Moreover, 18-inch tyres will be used from 2022 onwards and that would also provide more speed.