The introduction of widespread changes to Formula 1’s technical regulations for the 2022 season, albeit originally planned for 2021, has always had the aim of improving on track action and closing the gaps between the fastest and slowest teams. The new regulations are estimated to produce slower cars than those of the 2021 season, but moving the focus away from over-body downforce generation hopes to improve the ability of the cars to follow each other closely.

Nikolar Tombazis of the FIA believes that, while initially the new regulations may cause further field spread while the teams come to terms with the new cars, by the end of the season the field will have closed up leading to a more entertaining and competitive sport.

“It is hard to imagine we can surpass this season in the first year of the new formula,” Tombazis said to Auto Motor und Sport.

“But it is important we achieve the two goals we have set ourselves – to get the field closer together and to make it easier to follow another car.

“At the moment, about three seconds [per lap] separate first from last. We hope by the end of 2022 it will be only one and a half seconds.”

Tombazis added he expects any larger gaps at the beginning to close up quickly. “The cars will quickly align as it becomes clear what works and what doesn’t.”

When asked if it was possible to see a repeat of the events of 2009, in which Brawn GP handled the regulation change far better than any other team, making them a dominant force in the early part of the season, Tombazis pointed out that the changes are designed to prevent such an occurence.

“The targets were correct, [in 2009] and so were the basic measures to achieve them.

“The mistake was that the teams were given too much freedom. That’s why the targets were missed in the end.”

He continued to acknowledge that the new regulations are open to changes throughout the season. “I expect adjustments in the course of the season should things not work as desired,”

“It makes a difference whether someone turns the corner with it in December or next March,” he said.

“Now we would still have time to change something. In March, it would be more difficult. The longer the lead time, the stricter we will handle it.”

Alongside the introduction of the new technical regulations is the planned engine freeze from the end of the 2022 season until 2026 when a new engine formula will be introduced. Tombazis admits now agreement has yet been made on how the freeze will be implemented, with the worry being if any one engine manufacturer were to fall behind substantially, their losses would compound in the coming seasons.

“We have not yet reached an agreement among the manufacturers on how we should react if one engine is far behind the others,” he confirmed.

As Formula 1 enters it’s new generation with new cars, the introduction of 18” tyres and E10 fuel, Tombazis is open to the possibility that the cars may be more difficult to drive, a possibility which he believes would be a positive for the sport. 

“If the cars are harder to drive, it would be good for Formula 1,” he concluded.