Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Prime
Special feature

How F1's tech restrictions could shake up the 2021 order

This year’s carryover designs initially pointed to a continuation of Formula 1’s 2020 pecking order, but now it appears that the required aero tweaks may shake things up for the entire grid

When the decision was made to shove Formula 1's technical overhaul and return to true ground-effect cars back a year, the suggestion was that 2021 would end up as something of a holding year. But, following the condensed pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, it seems that the mandated technical changes to the aerodynamics have actually thrown some of the teams a loop. Instead of the 2020 carbon copy that many had been wary of, testing suggested that 2021 may actually offer one of the closest-fought seasons in years.

The biggest changes involve the floor, and the introduction of a triangular exclusion zone ahead of the rear wheel to strip the cars of some of the aerodynamic tools that teams used to improve the underbody downforce. The slots along the floor's edge are gone, and the diffuser and the brake-duct winglets situated at the rear of the car have also been trimmed back to culminate in a suggested 10% downforce reduction.

Previous article F1 drivers free to take a knee on 2021 race grids
Next article AlphaTauri F1 in much better shape than last year - Gasly

More from Jake Boxall-Legge

Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike?

Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike?

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike? Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike?
10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP 10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes

How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes
The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory

The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory
Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole

Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole

F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole
The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival

The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival
What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice

What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice

F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA