Red Bull expect the new cars to be significantly faster on the straights due to lower drag
How real the RB18 unveiled on Wednesday afternoon was remains to be seen, but Red Bull engineering officials believe the new 2022 Formula One cars will be significantly faster on the straights. Although there have not yet been any kilometres driven on the track, the teams have already collected enough data through their simulations.
For technical director Pierre Wache, speed on the straights is also one of the most interesting points ahead of the new season. Because the cars draw their downforce more from the ground effect instead of from wings & Co., the lower air resistance should ensure a higher top speed.
“What they clearly wanted to do is to generate the downforce from the ground, compared to before where it was generated from the ground, but also mainly from the front wing, the rear wing and the bodywork,” says Wache. “This will certainly have an impact on the car’s handling, mechanical grip and drag. “
“This generation of downforce is quite efficient, and these types of cars should be significantly faster on the straights at this level of downforce,” he says.
For designer Adrian Newey, the 2022 rule changes are the biggest in almost 40 years. “It was a very unusual process,” he says of the development. “These were immense changes, the biggest since 1983 when Venturi cars were banned in favour of a flat underbody. “
Other changes include a longer nose and the new 18-inch tyres. “The idea behind them is production relevance,” says chief engineer Paul Monaghan, referring to the new tyres. “Most road cars today have relatively large wheels, but with a low cross-section.”
“We’ve increased the size of the wheels to 18 inches. Obviously that has made the car a bit heavier. The tyre is bigger overall, so that has quite a big aerodynamic effect,” Monaghan said.
“And then you also have to try and understand the characteristics of the big tyre. We are reasonably familiar with last year’s tyres. It’s a bit like a new drawing board for us.” Who has managed that best remains to be seen.