Domenicali: Performance gaps will be closed quickly in 2022

40

Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has assured that any significant performance gaps between teams at the start of the 2022 will likely be quickly reduced moving forward.

Formula 1's all-new regulation platform that will be rolled out next season has been designed to produce closer racing by relying on ground effects or transferring the bulk of a car's downforce from its wings to its underbody.

But despite the prescriptive nature of F1's new rule book, there could be a fair amount of performance variation between the teams' cars at the outset of the 2022 campaign as each outfit unveils its own interpretation of the rules, with any one team possibly exploiting a loophole in the regs and fielding a design with an unfair advantage.

However, Domenicali is confident that any extreme gains will be clawed back in short order.

"It is clear that in the context of a season that starts with a new regulation and the budget cap, differences between the cars could emerge greater than what people might expect," Domenicali told Autosport.

"But I am equally sure that the limitations linked to the new regulations will mean that if there are these differences, the gap will be closed more quickly."

Read also: Bottas says 2022 cars not feeling 'crazy different' in the sim

While F1's ground effect-centered rules should allow for closer racing while also boosting overtaking opportunities, thus improving the show on the track, Domenicali concludes that the new-spec cars should help strongly emphasize a driver's skills.

"We are facing a season in 2022 where there are so many new elements that can be characterised in a positive or negative sense," added the F1 boss.

"The ground effect cars have been designed to highlight the skills of the drivers. They are machines that should be driven, without the wake effect that deteriorates the tyres [of the following car].

"The goal is to have duels between many drivers, without having the limits related to the car."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.