Lando Norris has cast doubt over whether F1's new technical regulations for 2022 will have the desired effect of making the racing more exciting. The new-for-2022 rules impose tighter limits on bodywork, with the aim of reducing the turbulence generated by cars and improving wheel-to-wheel racing. In previous years, drivers had often complained of losing downforce in the turbulent air thrown up by cars in front, making it difficult to follow closely and overtake.
Will F1 miss out on some great battles?
While the new rules, in theory, are set to improve the ability to race, Norris says having cars that are easier to follow will not necessarily equate to better racing. "A lot of great battles we saw last year were because of the difficulty to overtake," Norris told media, including RacingNews365.com , at the launch of the McLaren MCL36 at their Woking headquarters on Friday . "[At the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix], [Lewis] Hamilton couldn't get past [Fernando] Alonso [for 10 laps] because it was so difficult to follow, and everyone thought that was one of the best battles of the season. "Whereas, maybe this year, you might get past in two laps, so you won't see that side of it, you don't see as good of a battle. "But, on the other hand, there were not many battles because as soon as you get two seconds behind someone, you lose downforce and you can't do anything. It could go either way."
Norris wary as ground effect returns
The 2022 season will also see the reintroduction of ground effect technology last seen on F1 cars in the early 1980s, and Norris says this may make certain circuits less appealing to drive on. "To make a ground effect car work, you have to run it as close to the ground as possible," explained Norris. "[This means] the kerbs won't be as nice to use, and the way you might have to drive some tracks, like street circuits, is going to be quite different as well. "It might not be as nice to drive those kinds of circuits, [but] we have to wait and see."
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