FORMULA 1 CHANGE OF RULES 2018

EDITION: GLOBAL EDICIÓN: LATINOAMÉRICA ВЕРСИЯ: РОССИЯ ÉDITION: FRANCE EDIÇÃO: BRASIL EDITION: USA EN ES EDITION: INDIA EDITION: AUSTRALIA EDIZIONE: ITALIA EDITION: CANADA النسخة: الشرق الأوسط 版本: 中文 AUSGABE: DEUTSCHLAND EDITION: SWITZERLAND DE FR IT EDITIE: NEDERLANDS EDICIÓN: ESPAÑA EDITION: 日本 EDİSYON: TÜRKİYE ВЕРСІЯ: УКРАЇНА KIADÁS: MAGYARORSZÁG EDISI: INDONESIA FORMULA 1 NEWS PHOTOS VIDEOS SСHEDULE RESULTS STANDINGS DRIVERS TEAMS MOTORSPORT TV MOTORSPORT JOBS USER CONTENT USER PHOTOS UPLOAD PHOTO COMMUNITY Please note that our Privacy Policy has changed. By continuing to use this website, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the terms of the updated Privacy Policy. Accept Join PRIME Sign in Register Sign in Facebook Connect MOTORSPORT NETWORK Motorspotr.com TV Motor1.com Autoclassics.com Motorstore.com Motorstore.com MOTORSPORT.COM About us Team Press Advertise Join Legal Terms of Use Membership agreement Copyright Privacy policy Cookie policy Prime - Terms of service Contact Newsletter Feedback Apps NEW All Me ALL SERIES FORMULA E MOTOGP OPEN WHEEL NASCAR SPORTSCAR TOURING RALLY MORE GIORGIO PIOLA'S F1 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Main News Photos Videos Illustrations PREV NEXT FORMULA 1 ANALYSIS Tech analysis: Formula 1's 2018 rule changes Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Tech analysis: Formula 1's 2018 rule changes GET ALERTS By: Matt Somerfield, Assistant Technical Editor 8 hours ago The 2017 season was the first time in Formula 1 history that downforce was ramped up through regulation, delivering a significant laptime gain and a much closer fight at the front of the grid. So, as the 2018 season looms, we take a look at the changes that the designers have had to overcome and the various solutions that cropped up during the season that are now either completely banned or placed under heavy scrutiny by the FIA. Perhaps the most surprising feature of 2017 was the 'T-wing', a solution that was initially passed off as insignificant but quickly became one of the seasons must-haves. T-Wing rule T-Wing rule Photo by: Giorgio Piola This all came about because the teams noticed a loophole that allowed the use of bodywork in a region ahead of the rear wing. This image illustrates where bodywork may or may not exist, with the excluded zones marked in red and the region where T-wing's could exist highlighted in yellow. It's understood that these winglets produced a small but efficient amount of downforce in their own right, but also served the secondary function of helping to tidy flow ahead of the rear wing too. Winter testing is fraught with challenges, especially when such a large regulation change takes place. And while the T-wings used by the teams behaved themselves to a large extent, it was noted that the T-wing mounted on the Haas had a tendency to wag the shark fin when loaded. Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-17 Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-17 Photo by: Sutton Images It's a trait closely scrutinised by the FIA during FP1 in Australia, leading to a request for its removal for FP2, with the caveat that it could be reinstated if the team could strengthen the shark fin. It duly complied (see above), knowing the performance advantage the winglet could offer. The FIA subsequently introduced a deflection test for T-wings amid concerns of several high-profile failures, most notably when the structure failed on Valtteri Bottas' car in Bahrain and caused considerable damage to Max Verstappen's car. The FIA subsequently announced it would be testing the winglets, in order that they not flex more than 5mm when presented with a load of up to 100 Nm. T-Wing table T-Wing table Photo by: Giorgio Piola The designs seemed fairly benign initially, but grew in their complexity quite rapidly, with numerous variations cropping up as the teams maximised the available space. As the season progressed, the more basic single element winglets were often replaced with multiple elements, featuring their own complexity and slots. Some of the teams, of which Williams was an early adopter, also saw fit to use winglets lower down, influencing the exhaust plume and underside of the rear wing. Williams FW40 double planes Williams FW40 double planes Photo by: Giorgio Piola As we can see from the introduction of the T-wing, it isn't always about what is written in the regulations but rather what isn't, with these grey areas in between affording pockets of performance that might otherwise be left on the table. For example, the ability to use shark fins in F1 never really went away, but with the taller rear wing and subsequent loss of the connection to the rear wing, due to the banning of the F-duct in 2011, it fell out of favour. As such, the return to a lower rear wing structure in 2017 presented an opportunity for their return - and while they aren't exactly aesthetically pleasing, their reappearance provided an uplift in performance the teams couldn't ignore. Sauber C36 new engine cover Sauber C36 new engine cover Photo by: Giorgio Piola The regulations have been amended in order that both shark fins and T-wings will not appear in 2018, with a more conventional engine cover, such as the one tested by Sauber back in Austin (above), expected to be used once more. Halo Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid Safety Proposal Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid Safety Proposal Photo by: Giorgio Piola The much-maligned safety device, which was proposed in 2015 and features a central spar supporting a hoop around the driver's head, will be raced for the first time in 2018. The device we have seen attached to the cars thus far has been a dummy, used mainly for sight testing, cockpit access tests and aero evaluation, with the actual device needing to be anchored to the chassis. Its installation has caused the teams headaches, as the specifications of the static load test came quite late in the day and requires it to fatigue and give way, rather than the chassis or its mounting points. Mercedes F1 W08 Halo Crash Test Mercedes F1 W08 Halo Crash Test Photo by: Giorgio Piola This has proved problematic for the designers, who are intent on keeping installation weight down, while still being able to pass the load tests shown above. With the minimum weight of the car having already surged up to 728kg in 2017, accommodating the wider tyres and bodywork and an increase in the size of the fuel tank, the designers have been given a further 6kg to play with in 2018. However, many of the designers have voiced their concerns about this given installation, including the weight of the halo, comes in around 14-15kg and means the teams will have less ballast to play with and will once again penalise heavier drivers. The Halo, which can be purchased from three suppliers based in the UK, Germany and Italy, will cost the teams at least €15,000 each, is made from titanium and can be shrouded with bodywork designed by the team. We've already seen teams running with a more aerodynamically neutral cover throughout 2016 and 2017, but the regulations allow the designers to influence the external airflow with their own fairings. This is something we've already started to see, as some novel solutions appeared at the post Abu Dhabi GP test. The most aggressive of these solutions came from McLaren when it ran a hooped three-element winglet atop the halo, as the team looked to mitigate some of the aerodynamic inefficiencies the structure may present, channeling the airflow into less disruptive places. Suspension trickery Having played a significant role in the 'out of the box' performance of some of the more advanced teams last year, another clarification regarding the suspension has been issued ahead of this season. Ferrari SF70H Push pick up Ferrari SF70H Push pick up Photo by: Giorgio Piola It's understood that the technical directive issued to teams seeks to limit a change in the ride height of the car while being steered, a technique which when exploited can improve aero performance. While some changes to ride height are inevitable, it's suspected that some systems have been designed in order that the change is not incidental, improving the car's aerodynamic platform at a point when otherwise it would be compromised. From now on the teams will have to provide the FIA with relevant documentation that shows that the ride height changes by no more than 5mm when the steering wheel is moved from lock-to-lock. Of course, anyone that has already enjoyed success with such systems, or planned to, will have to find other ways to simulate the technique. Ferrari (above) and Red Bull (below) both spent time testing revised suspension layouts during 2017, both of which featured upright extensions that altered the pushrod's location (arrowed) and are thought to target scenarios where the ride height is adjusted when the car is being steered. Red Bull RB13 push rod suspension Red Bull RB13 push rod suspension Photo by: Giorgio Piola Steiner says no American driver is ready for F1 now PREVIOUS ARTICLE Steiner says no American driver is ready for F1 now Hamilton: F1 needs more Donington-style corners NEXT ARTICLE Hamilton: F1 needs more Donington-style corners Sponsored Content Unforgettable Sports Moments Caught On Camera Unforgettable Sports Moments Caught On Camera DailySportX You're Wrong About Equity Release. Here's Why. You're Wrong About Equity Release. Here's Why. Telegraph Equity Release 30 cleaning tips that professional car washers wish we didn't know 30 cleaning tips that professional car washers wish we didn't know Life Tonik Recommended by Popular In the Community Sponsored Sponsored STEINER SAYS NO AMERICAN DRIVER IS READY FOR F1 NOW Tangram 1d Alexander Rossi is their best choice, as he has previous experience of the entire junior circus in Europe and is a great driver overall. If he wins the IndyCar championship in a dominant fashion or atleast with a fighting spirit this year or in 2019, then Gene Haas will definitely look forward to putting him in his team's car. On the other hand, those who say that Newgarden did a fabulous job, remember this, he has taken 7 years to win the title. So, even if he is the perfect American posterboy, his driving style is now molded for racing in IndyCar. Juan Pablo Montoya got his chance with Williams, because he won his CART title in his debut year. Dixon too got his chance with in 2004, but refused to join Williams for 2005. But it's too late for Newgarden. Remember that he isn't too good with high-downforce cars, just take his GP3 results into the picture. He may have evolved as a driver, but it's too late for him to catch the F1 bus.P.S. I am not a Josef Newgarden hater. Just commenting from a neutral viewpoint. And, for those who question Alexander Rossi's credentials, it's only his 3rd year in IndyCar and he will shine in the era of the new universal aero kit.*Potential Haas lineup for 2019-Kevin Magnussen & Alexander Rossi (Sorry Giovinazzi, you are going to Sauber). RED BULL'S JUNIOR PROGRAMME HAS SOFTENED - WEBBER Onca 1d just seemed to me they had no one really fit for F1 CHILI BOWL: CHRISTOPHER BELL WINS THURSDAY'S A-MAIN BOOGITY_IS_RACIST 23h Is this a NASCAR column or a sprint car column? If we wanted sprint carswe'd still be watching Dave DeSpain on Thursday Night Thunder. Got nothing against them, they put on a good show, but I'm here for asphalt,fenders and a tin roof, not mud. FORMULA 1 EVALUATING CHANGES TO GRID FORMATION Bamboo 1d A few people with an IQ that ran into double figures did look at it and decided it was going to be a disaster and sure enough it was a disaster but nevertheless it went ahead and sure enough it was a disaster. cough... HALO... cough... RENAULT TO BE MORE DRACONIAN IN ENGINE QUALITY CONTROL BobF1 3d So in other words, after 4 years with these hybrid PU's, Renault are still clueless how to create a quali mode. PEREZ: THE PRESSURE IS NOW ON OCON HHF 2d Checco, I think pressure is on your side as well. You dream of a change to one of the top Teams, so you should beat him this year or you will have to stay at FI. What at least imo would not be soo bad, as actually FI could do a good move to close the gap. Really hope they can keep the keys for their good Performance and find a way to annoy the big ones further. What I like about Checco: He seems to be a fair and respectful sportsman. Good luck! M-SPORT ADDS SUNINEN TO WRC LINE-UP FOR EIGHT RALLIES Tangram 1d Great choice, Malcolm! FORMULA E DROPS MINIMUM PITSTOP TIME massGP 2d I don't see the point in abandoning this small safety measure when car swapping will be gone all together in six months. PIRELLI SAYS F1 TYRE WAR WOULD DAMAGE COMPETITION JosephiousBrosif 1d BREAKING NEWS...Pirelli doesn't want to share the marketplace!!! Shocker! HONDA'S F1 STRUGGLES SIMILAR TO JAGUAR'S - MCLAREN David Martins 2d If you look at Mercedes, they're not based in Germany” - You know why? Because they bought Brawn GP that was already based in England. F1 culture is not a valid reason to have everything based in England and if you have a base of operations next to an airfield then it will be faster to reach than in the middle of nowhere. Of course you can have everything together and that’s the point but it doesn’t have to be in England. COSWORTH UNLIKELY TO RETURN TO F1 AS INDEPENDENT SUPPLIER F1ENGINEER 2d 2003 is the last time a cosworth won a race, 1994 was the last time they won more than 1 race in a season.F1 is far beyond their capabilities and has been so long before the mguh, mguk or kers was introduced. MCLAREN TO UNDERGO BIGGEST CHANGE IN 2018 LOOK Stuart Carter 4d Wow a new paint scheme. Who says the off-season ins't exciting? FERRARI SIGNS KVYAT AS DEVELOPMENT DRIVER Sid 3d Good on him, there’s worse drivers currently on the grid ! KUBICA IN TALKS FOR WILLIAMS SUPPORT ROLE FOR 2018 Tangram 5h Seriously, why the hell is Kubica sticking around Williams, after being rejected??????????P.S. Before Kubica's fans come rushing after me in horde, get the hang of this: the empty seat at Williams was simply up for auction, with the buyer being the highest bidder, in this case the Russian, Sergey Sirotkin. Write a comment About this article Series Formula 1 Article type Analysis Topic Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis PREV NEXT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter TO THE FORMULA 1 MAIN PAGE Back to top © 2018 MOTORSPORT NETWORK. All rights reserved. ..