Making a race automobile larger and heavier could appear counterproductive, however that is precisely what’s occurred to Formulation 1 vehicles over the previous twenty years.

Pink Bull Racing just lately introduced out its first F1 automobile—the RB1 from the 2005 season—for a comparability with the present RB20 at a really moist Silverstone circuit. David Coulthard, who raced the RB1 throughout Pink Bull’s inaugural season, bought reacquainted with the automobile whereas reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen (who was eight years outdated when the RB1 made its debut) drove the RB20.

F1 has gone by way of a number of rule adjustments since Pink Bull entered the game on the flip of the century with its buy of the troubled Jaguar workforce from Ford. That is instantly obvious upon seeing the RB1 and RB20 collectively. The 2024 automobile is over 3.2 ft longer than the 2005 automobile, roughly a foot wider, and about 440 kilos heavier.

The additional weight is due partly to the present hybrid energy unit, whose first interation was launched in 2014. The 2005 vehicles used less complicated naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V-10 engines with none electrification. Identified for his or her unimaginable sound, the V-10s have been changed by 2.4-liter V-8s for 2006, with kinetic vitality restoration programs (KERS) later including a level of electrification earlier than introduction of the full-fat hybrid powertrains. 

A serious rule change for the 2017 season mandated longer and wider vehicles with a lot wider tires. The adjustments have been aimed toward growing downforce, which did lead to a lot faster lap instances. Aerodynamics have been tremendously simplified with the most recent car-design overhaul for the 2022 season, which targeted extra on ground-effect downforce generated by the ground than topside aero appendages. But it surely did not do something to shrink the vehicles.

The subsequent huge rule change is scheduled for 2026 and focuses on the facility models. The present turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 internal-combustion format will stay, however the brand new energy unit will probably be less complicated due to the elimination of the MGU-H, the electrical motor-generator that recovers vitality from the exhaust through the turbocharger. The MGU-Ok, which recovers vitality by way of regenerative braking will stay and contribute extra electrical energy. F1 expects peak system output of greater than 1,000 hp—however with decrease gasoline consumption than the present vehicles.