Before the start of the season, we spoke in sufficient detail about the most fundamental provisions of the 2022 Grid Code: Formula 1 switched to a new generation of cars that differed significantly from those previously used by the teams.
The first season, in which Formula 1 lived according to this fundamental document, is nearing completion and in fact all this time the FIA has been doing serious work together with the participants of the championship to adapt the new “constitution”.
It was important to take into account several points suggested by real racing practice, to solve the problems that arise, to agree changes with all parties and finally to implement them in the new version of the regulations. to take.
The changes to the latest edition of the Technical Regulations, approved this week by the FIA World Motorsport Council, number in the dozens. They are scattered throughout the 180-page text of the document, but most of them are specific, the essence of which is clear only to engineers, for example, when it comes to changing the physical parameters of individual elements of the machine’s design.
But perhaps the most important ones have to do with security issues.
Top roll bar
The requirements for the upper roll bar, which takes the bulk of the load when the machine rolls over, have been revised. From now on, this bow must be able to withstand vertical loads of 15g.
In Article 13.1 the stricter test requirements for this part have been elaborated and point b has been added, which describes exactly what loads the roll bar must withstand – during the tests it is not only affected in the vertical direction, but also in the longitudinal and transverse direction.
In addition, before proceeding with physical tests, the FIA must obtain “detailed calculations from each team which would confirm that the main roll bar and safety cage can withstand the specified loads.”
The requirements for these parts have been tightened following the investigation into the accident involving Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou at the start of the British Grand Prix.
Rear-view mirrors
Article 14.2 on rear-view mirrors describes the new requirements for rear-view mirrors, which should provide better visibility – blind spots should be minimised, accordingly. One of the main requirements is that the diameter of the mirror should not be less than 400 mm.
Cameras in racing helmets
Amendments related to video cameras installed on cars are interesting in their own way. The essence of the changes made to Article 8.17 is that from now on not six, but seven of these cameras, as one more is added, will be built into the rider’s helmet.
Experiments with such equipment have been going on for a long time, they were recognized as successful, and from now on such cameras, “facing forward”, as specified in the regulations, will be used by all teams.
However, there is a caveat stated in clause 8.17.3: “If the competitor is not required to install a camera in the helmet of one of the riders, then ballast must be securely fixed in the cockpit, the mass of which is equal to the mass of the removed components.”
machine weight
The weight of cars will be slightly reduced in 2023 – the FIA and Formula 1 will return to the figure of 796 kg (weight of an empty car), which was foreseen in the original version of the technical regulations, but then adjusted upwards – to 798 kg.
Fuel temperature and density
To avoid disputes that arose during the season, changes were made to the regulations regarding fuel temperature.
Article 6.4 now states that the temperature of the fuel must not be 10 degrees lower than the ambient temperature at any time, or 10 degrees lower when the car is on the track after leaving the garage. Previously, the last parameter was at the level of 20 degrees.
A new requirement has been included in paragraph 6.1.4: the fuel tanks of all machines must be fitted with bypass valves to prevent overpressure and special sensors. The maximum pressure in the tank must not exceed 1 bar.
The requirements for checking fuel density are becoming stricter: the permissible variation of this parameter is being reduced from 0.25% to 0.15%. That. the difference between the two measurements must not exceed this level – the first measurement is provisional, the second relates specifically to the fuel used by a particular team over the weekend.
Source: F1 News
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
