Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer, says F1 is going “in the wrong direction” due to changes in weight rules.
F1 introduced a new and innovative technical rule in 2022 with the aim of improving overtaking. The philosophical switch from the overbody method, which generated downforce on the surface of the machine, to the ground effect effect drastically changed the flow of aerodynamics and the generation of the grid.
As a result of these changes, Adrian Newey, who had significantly different interpretations of regulations between F1 grid teams, could have problems with weight limit changes, although there were improvements in overtaking. I am concerned about that.
“I think the principle of helping the car overtake by reducing the sensitivity of the following car to the car in front is good. I think it helps to overtake a little more. I don’t think it’s a big change, but it helps a little. Probably, “Adrian Newey told Motorsport Magazin.
“Making such a significant rule change will inevitably lead to many other changes, which could further expand the field in the first few seasons.”
Adrian Newey said F1 cars are following the growing concern of commercial vehicles.
“In just a few years, the weight limit has increased from a ballast of at least 600kg and a ballast of 30-40kg to a car weighing more than 800kg,” Adrian Newey explained.
“And we’re all working crazy to achieve that currently prescribed minimum weight. In short, cars are big and heavy, and because of the high drag, aerodynamics. Is not particularly efficient. “
“Obviously, this wrong direction is the same as the larger and heavier cars recently developed by the general auto industry, and people’s obsession with whether to drive with batteries or gasoline. Regardless, it’s the amount of energy needed to move a damn thing, regardless of where that energy came from. “
This move towards heavier vehicles goes against what Adrian Newey describes as the ideal F1 regulation. He says he likes light weight and aerodynamic efficiency.
“Obviously, some of the safety issues are self-reinforcing issues. The heavier the car, the stronger it needs to be,” said Adrian Newey.
“In my opinion, we need a smaller, lighter and more energy efficient car.”
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