F1technical.net

Even though the massive rule change delayed to 2022 there are still some changes to the technical regulations for 2021, with a new ban on floor slots and a triangular cutout from the maximum width at the rear face of the cockpit entry template, to 650mm from the car centreline at the rear axle line. The idea being to cut some downforce.

Nice illustration from F1.com - looks like Sauber provided a car.



There's also a 3kg increase in the minimum weight - on the power unit increasing from 147kg to 150kg. There is a change of definition making it explicit that 4 studs can be used for the gearbox mounting to the ICE, and a stipulation banning the DAS steering.

Very interesting changes indeed! Thank you for the post jin9128.

As far as I know, it's only because of Pirelli is affraid their tires won't hold up, as they don't want to develop new tires for 2021.

Holm86 wrote: ↑

28 May 2020, 10:52

As far as I know, it's only because of Pirelli is affraid their tires won't hold up, as they don't want to develop new tires for 2021.

While I'm normally first to criticise Pirelli they were expecting to shift to 18" next year so investing heavily for another year of 13" seems daft especially as teams are being forced to keep their chassis' to save costs. This will lose around the equivalent downforce that they'd normally gain by next year, so for tyre loads the status quo is maintained.

jjn9128 wrote: ↑

28 May 2020, 11:23

Holm86 wrote: ↑

28 May 2020, 10:52

As far as I know, it's only because of Pirelli is affraid their tires won't hold up, as they don't want to develop new tires for 2021.

While I'm normally first to criticise Pirelli they were expecting to shift to 18" next year so investing heavily for another year of 13" seems daft especially as teams are being forced to keep their chassis' to save costs. This will lose around the equivalent downforce that they'd normally gain by next year, so for tyre loads the status quo is maintained.

I agree that developing new tires would be stupid, but I would still criticise Pirelli for making a tire that can't handle the added downforce of completely stable regulations, they already have to regulate camber and tire pressure for their tires to hold up.

tbh they couldn't cope with the pre-2017 levels of downforce

jjn9128 wrote: ↑

28 May 2020, 11:23

This will lose around the equivalent downforce that they'd normally gain by next year

The losses are expected to be greatest in high speed corners according to FIA.

Will this trimmed floor create unintentional high speed rear-end stability issues for nearly everbody (similar to 2019 Renault & 2018 McLaren)? It would be most amusing if it did.

Can we expected the trimmed floor to disproportionately disadvantage high-rake teams, and enhance Mercedes advantage with their more consistent low-rake car?

JordanMugen wrote: ↑

28 May 2020, 18:13

jjn9128 wrote: ↑

28 May 2020, 11:23

This will lose around the equivalent downforce that they'd normally gain by next year

The losses are expected to be greatest in high speed corners according to FIA.

Will this trimmed floor create unintentional high speed rear-end stability issues for nearly everbody (similar to 2019 Renault & 2018 McLaren)? It would be most amusing if it did.

Can we expected the trimmed floor to disproportionately disadvantage high-rake teams, and enhance Mercedes advantage with their more consistent low-rake car?

I presume it will limit the way teams seal the floor, so yes... but, we don't know how much a team like RedBull (who's cars generally have the most rake and I think started this whole thing) rely on the slots on the edge of the floor.

It will have no effect on lap times. All it will do is increase drag. No change in downforce as changes to the cars will negate the small loss. There will be more air smacking the rear tire, instead of it being channeled underneath and to the side. It does offer a clearer shot of guiding air over the diffuser.

Luckily teams are stuck with this year's rear end for next year, so whoever has the best rear end this year will keep the advantage next year.

Wouldn't that be Mercedes then? With their new rear suspension layout, they have the cleanest access to the diffuser.

godlameroso wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2020, 19:08

It will have no effect on lap times. All it will do is increase drag. No change in downforce as changes to the cars will negate the small loss. There will be more air smacking the rear tire, instead of it being channeled underneath and to the side. It does offer a clearer shot of guiding air over the diffuser.

Luckily teams are stuck with this year's rear end for next year, so whoever has the best rear end this year will keep the advantage next year.

You really think it'll be this miniscule?? I think the taper will spill alot more of high pressure air from the top of the floor into the underfloor. Making very hard to seal a high rake diffuser

The current floor actually creates a down and outwash in front of the rear tire. It attempts to simulate outwash at the front. By tapering the floor, you lose that so the turbulence of the tire(which is speed dependent) is greater creating more drag. Remember that most cars are set up to squat at high speeds.

Teams will have to find a new cross over point and will have to tune the rake at different speeds to get the most of the new style floor. However once they do that, they'll find it doesn't decrease downforce too much.

It may shake things up in the first 1/4th of the season while teams get on top of it.

godlameroso wrote: ↑

06 Jun 2020, 15:16

The current floor actually creates a down and outwash in front of the rear tire. It attempts to simulate outwash at the front. By tapering the floor, you lose that so the turbulence of the tire(which is speed dependent) is greater creating more drag. Remember that most cars are set up to squat at high speeds.

Teams will have to find a new cross over point and will have to tune the rake at different speeds to get the most of the new style floor. However once they do that, they'll find it doesn't decrease downforce too much.

It may shake things up in the first 1/4th of the season while teams get on top of it.

The outwash is not as much about drag as it is about pulling the tire squirt outboard of the rear tires. When this is removed much of the tire squirt will go on the inside, into the diffuser making it less efficient

Some still goes inside now. Luckily they're allowing 2 small fences on the floor to channel air. I still think there won't be much difference in lap time. Pouhon will still be flat. Plus more turbulence caused by the rear tires are certain to produce more drag. That's not a bad thing, more powerful slip stream.

godlameroso wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2020, 19:08

It will have no effect on lap times. All it will do is increase drag. No change in downforce as changes to the cars will negate the small loss. There will be more air smacking the rear tire, instead of it being channeled underneath and to the side. It does offer a clearer shot of guiding air over the diffuser.

Luckily teams are stuck with this year's rear end for next year, so whoever has the best rear end this year will keep the advantage next year.

Except McLaren changing to Merc PU...