No budget cap for F1 and FIA: 'We've thrown millions at it'

As we all know, an awful lot is changing about the Formula 1 cars in 2022. Formula 1 technical chief Pat Symonds explains how the FIA and Formula 1 went about designing the new cars.

The aerodynamics of Formula 1 cars in 2022 will look completely different from the cars driven in 2021. Until recently, fans had to make do with some concept cars that the FIA and Formula 1 showed to the world, until Haas F1 showed a first interpretation of the new VF-22 on February 4.

F1, FIA and teams worked together

Symonds reveals in conversation with F1.com how the FIA and Formula 1 came together to create the new Formula One cars. He reveals that the whole operation was already set in motion in 2017. This is quite remarkable, considering that in 2017 there was also a major aerodynamic change made to the Formula 1 cars.

The project was never something the FIA and Formula 1 worked on in secret. In fact, Symonds says all Formula 1 teams were always involved and had to be critical. "Never before has so much work been put into the regulations, whether it's aerodynamics, tires or the engine."

Money wasn't an issue

While Formula One teams have to work with a strict budget ceiling these days, that was not the case for F1 and FIA itself says Symonds: "Never before has this amount of work gone into regulations on anything, whether that be aerodynamics, tyres, engine. Anything. We’ve researched it to death!"