FIA Warns F1 Teams Face 'Steep Learning Curve' with New Regulations

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis has highlighted the monumental challenge awaiting F1 teams next season, as the championship embarks on a new era of chassis and power unit regulations. This significant rulebook rewrite represents a considerable step into the unknown for all competitors.

Why it matters:

While new regulations are often seen as an equalizer, potentially shifting the pecking order, Tombazis cautions that an initial wider field spread should be expected. The F1 grid has become exceptionally close in recent seasons, with often less than a second separating the entire pack on one-lap pace. This dynamic is set to change, with reliability and varying performance across the field becoming more influential factors.

Initial Performance Spread Expected:

“Invariably, a new regulation will have a wider spread initially. That is part of the game,” Tombazis told PlanetF1. He added, “It will also have more variable performance initially, meaning there will be some ups and downs as people learn the new regulations.” The last major engine change in 2014 saw Mercedes establish a dominant run of eight consecutive constructors’ championships, setting a precedent for potential shifts.

FIA Dismisses Speculation:

Heavy speculation already surrounds the expected pecking order, particularly concerning power unit performance, with Mercedes again anticipated to set the benchmark. However, Tombazis insists the picture is not as clear to the motorsport governing body as often suggested.

“The FIA doesn’t have access to the people’s horsepower or downforce in the wind tunnel or the exact performance they’re going for,” he clarified. “We don’t know that. It’s not part of the regulation that we can have access to this data, for obvious reasons. Therefore, exactly who’s doing well and who’s doing badly, I think, is somewhat still very much speculated. So all of these speculations that somebody will do particularly well or particularly badly, I think it’s all just that speculation.”

Steep Climb for New Entrants:

Some have argued that the significant regulatory overhaul could offer an opportunity for newcomers like Audi and Cadillac to surprise. Audi, taking over the Stake (Sauber) team, will also become a power unit manufacturer, while Cadillac enters as a new team with Ferrari power units for its first three seasons.

However, Tombazis believes the “steep learning curve” facing all teams will be “doubly so” for these new entrants as they take their first steps in F1.

• “Clearly, there are some newcomers,” he stated. “They have a very uphill road to follow and, logically, they will have a steep learning curve.”
• “It will be a steep learning curve for everybody, of course, because of the new regulations, but for them, it will be doubly so.”