2022 F1 Regulations

The Ground Effect Era

The floor became the car. Venturi tunnels running the length of the underfloor now generate the majority of downforce instead of complex upper-body aero, cutting the wake turbulence that had made following within a second nearly impossible. Bargeboards, intricate endplates, and most of the bodywork loopholes teams had developed since 2017 were wiped out overnight. The cost cap, which began at $145M in 2021, tightened to $140M. Pirelli's 18-inch low-profile tires replaced the 13-inch rims F1 had used for decades.

Typical Engine

Configuration

Capacity

1.6L

Aspiration

Turbo-Hybrid

Power

~1000 hp (estimates vary)

Mercedes AMG F1 M13Ferrari 066/7Honda RBPTH001Renault E-Tech RE22

What Changed

Downforce Generation

Before

Primarily upper body aero

After

Ground effect venturi tunnels under floor

Wheel Size

Before

13"

After

18" low-profile

Car Weight

Before

752 kg

After

798 kg (+46 kg)

Front Wing

Before

Complex multi-element endplates

After

Simplified, swept-back design

Rear Wing

Before

Complex endplate shapes

After

Rolled endplate tips to channel wake upward

Bargeboards

Before

Complex bargeboards and vanes

After

Removed entirely

Budget Cap

Before

$145M cap (first year, 2021)

After

$140M cap (excl. driver salaries, top 3 exec)

Diffuser

Before

Smaller, less influential

After

Larger, primary downforce contributor

Dirty Air Effect

Before

~35% of downforce lost 20 m behind (47% at 10 m)

After

FIA projection: ~4% lost at 20 m (18% at 10 m)

Fuel

Before

Standard F1 fuel

After

E10 fuel (10% sustainable ethanol)

Impact on Racing

Cars can now follow through high-speed corners without the front end washing out: exactly what the OWG (Overtaking Working Group) had targeted
Porpoising caught the grid off guard; teams that solved the floor stall oscillation earliest (Red Bull, Ferrari) gained a huge early advantage
The 46 kg weight increase is noticeable in low-speed sections: cars feel less nimble through chicanes and hairpins
The cost cap forced the biggest teams to restructure their headcount and spending, with real trade-offs between development and reliability
Low-profile tires reduced the sidewall flex teams had exploited for years, making setup windows much narrower

What changed in the 2022 F1 regulations?

The floor became the car. Key changes: Downforce Generation: Primarily upper body aero to Ground effect venturi tunnels under floor; Wheel Size: 13" to 18" low-profile; Car Weight: 752 kg to 798 kg (+46 kg); Front Wing: Complex multi-element endplates to Simplified, swept-back design.

How did the 2022 regulations affect racing?

Cars can now follow through high-speed corners without the front end washing out: exactly what the OWG (Overtaking Working Group) had targeted. Porpoising caught the grid off guard; teams that solved the floor stall oscillation earliest (Red Bull, Ferrari) gained a huge early advantage. The 46 kg weight increase is noticeable in low-speed sections: cars feel less nimble through chicanes and hairpins.

What engines did F1 cars use under the 2022 rules?

V6, 1.6L, Turbo-Hybrid, around ~1000 hp (estimates vary). Notable engines: Mercedes AMG F1 M13, Ferrari 066/7, Honda RBPTH001, Renault E-Tech RE22.