What the first look at 2021's F1 aero rules tells us

As well as learning a new circuit to Formula 1, several teams used their Portuguese GP practice running to try out new aero concepts ahead of rule changes for next year - providing an interesting first insight into what 2021 F1 cars will look like

Jake Boxall-Legge Oct 26, 2020, 1:55 PM

Upd: Oct 26, 2020, 7:44 PM

Motorsport.com's Prime content

The best content from Motorsport.com Prime, our subscription service. Subscribe here to get access to all the features.

As the 2020 Formula 1 season winds into its final five rounds, we already have our first clue into how next year's cars will look. Although this year's chassis will be carried over into 2021, thanks to the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a few changes that must be made to cut the overall downforce produced.

The technical overhaul ushering in the return of ground effect cars will have to wait until 2022 and the introduction of Pirelli's 18-inch tyres will also be delayed, meaning that the tyres designed for 2019 will get yet another year of service. There are a few aerodynamic changes to address this for next year, including the removal of part of the floor and from the diffuser, estimated to bring a 10% reduction in overall downforce to ensure the Pirelli tyres work within the load window intended.

Share Or Save This Story

Related video

Author Jake Boxall-Legge

Jake Boxall-Legge Autosport’s Technical Editor. Having studied Automotive Engineering with Motorsport at the University of Hertfordshire, West Country-born Jake's original ambition was to design racing cars. During a year between studies in which he accidentally rekindled a love of writing, he took up a Master's in Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes. Halfway through his master's year, he was offered a place on the Autosport Academy, conducting occasional freelance duties before becoming the press officer for Formula 2 and GP3 in 2018. Autosport offered him a return to the fold later that year to serve as its Technical Editor. His voice appears on a number of videos and podcasts, and can often be found writing about terrible Formula 1 cars in excruciating detail. In his spare time, Jake enjoys baking and blames his failure to make it past the Great British Bake-Off interviews on his tenuous grasp on choux pastry. His dream is to open a brunch cafe - and his willingness to make outrageous puns in inappropriate situations has earned him the contempt of his colleagues.