Cars in 2022 possibly three seconds slower: 'Top teams will be closer'

For the 2022 season, all Formula 1 teams will have to design a completely new car again according to the guidelines of the FIA. According to Jan Monchaux, Alfa Romeo's technical director, there is nothing spectacular to be expected.

Rule changes are normally the moment for engineers to stand out from the rest. Who can find the golden egg between the rules like Ross Brawn did in 2009 with the double diffuser. However, with the strict rules for the 2022 season, it remains to be seen if engineers will be able to do this.

Double diffuser in 2022?

''It's in our DNA to look for possible loopholes in the regulations. However, these are limited because the rules are very restrictive because F1 management is involved in the background of development to find such loopholes and because of the teams, together with the FIA, close loopholes themselves. I don't want to rule out tricks, but nothing on the order of a double diffuser. It will be about small things,'' Monchaux said to Auto, Motor und Sport.

The car should make it easier to follow other cars and with that overtaking. However, we must assume that the F1 cars will be slower in 2022.

Time loss for the F1 teams

''The first design, including the extra weight, was five to six seconds slower. You have to make up for the extra 40 kilograms first. The new petrol could cost the engine's power. You have to wait and see what the engine manufacturers do with it. It's hard to say how much of that you can get back with the Aero. I think the loss will be three seconds.''

Still, the top of the field will be closer to the current times. ''The world champion will probably get it towards one and a half to two seconds. That's my estimation. Budget cap or not: The big teams have good people and methods to achieve their goals faster than the small teams'', concludes Alfa Romeo's chief executive