Closer racing and more overtaking manoeuvres: Among other things, that was what the new rules for the 2022 Formula 1 season had promised. Lando Norris thinks that the regulations have already proven their worth in this respect. “The racing was definitely more fun,” says the McLaren driver.
“There was less time where, even though you’re a little faster, you just can’t do anything and have to follow the whole race. At least now there seems to be more chance for racing to take place.” But on some racetracks it has also become more difficult, he objects.
“It’s more difficult because the slipstream is so much less,” explains the Brit. “That’s the only thing that people haven’t really talked about, which is that following is actually a lot better because the slipstream effect and the problem of ‘dirty air’ aren’t that much of an issue anymore.”
Norris: Slipstream effect is missing
Conversely, this means that there is a lack of slipstreaming on the straights: “Spa, for example, was one of the worst races this year in terms of overtaking maneuvers. It wasn’t bad, but not that good either,” says Norris.
“On the back straight before the last chicane, the slipstream was always very big. Now you only gain a tenth of a second in the slipstream instead of half a second.”
“But in most places it was better,” objects the Formula 1 driver and sums it up: “In the end, I think it was a good thing (to change the rules; editor’s note). But of course the cars are a different challenge.”
Less gimmicks when setting up
“I wouldn’t say they’re as fun as last year’s cars, just in terms of how comfortable they are and how much you can play with them, how you hit the curbs and lines and so on. Even the set-up you’re a bit more limited,” summarizes Norris.
“For us it’s just go as low as possible and as stiff as possible and then soften a little bit if it’s too stiff. That’s basically how it goes every single weekend! In the years before there was a lot more to adjust and try .”
That is not so much the case this year. “There is less gimmicking with the current car set-up. It’s just more of a challenge to find a good set-up,” Norris said. “The ground effect car philosophy took away from us the ability to play with the car as much.”
Ocon: “Goes in the right direction”
Regarding the rule amendment, Alpine pilot Esteban Ocon states: “It’s definitely going in the right direction. I think the races have gotten much better for us. If I look at races like Jeddah or Austin – when I was with Mick ( Schumacher) was fighting, it was a bit like a go-kart race.”
“It’s a lot more fun to race, but it would be nice to have more slipstreams,” he agrees with Norris. “We’ve lost some of the slipstream effect.”
“But would it then be too much? That is the question. So there is still room for improvement. But it is definitely going in the right direction,” says Ocon. When asked about the racing stints, he says in comparison to last year: “With these tires there is no great wear limit. You gradually lose performance.”
“It’s a bit difficult to judge because we’re only losing a tenth or two – it’s just gradual. The team can best see how good you are and when you have to pit. Before you could really feel: ‘Okay, the limit is reached. We have to pit, otherwise it’s over.'”