P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA has confirmed that a new feature on this year’s F1 cars will have adaptability, in response to concerns on energy harvesting on certain tracks.
The FIA has officially announced a new adaptable feature on this year’s Formula 1 cars in response to concerns regarding energy harvesting at certain tracks.
The new technical regulations have replaced DRS with ‘active aero,’ allowing front and rear wings to be opened in designated activation zones.
Drivers will now have access to ‘Overtake Mode,’ enabling a recharge of +0.5MJ for extra power to overtake a car within a second in front, akin to DRS.
The debut of Overtake Mode will occur at the Albert Park Circuit during the first round in Melbourne next week.
While teams implemented varying strategies during pre-season testing in Bahrain, the usage of the feature was not closely monitored, leading to uncertainties.
Potential fluctuations in energy harvesting at different F1 circuits could impact racing dynamics due to the hybrid PUs’ requirement for battery conservation each lap.
The discontinuation of DRS will usher in active aero and Overtake Mode as the new features in Formula 1 cars. More evaluation is needed to assess the effectiveness and potential adjustments to the energy allocation for Overtake Mode across different tracks.
Officials like Tombazis emphasize the need for circuit-dependent calibration of Overtake Mode and express readiness to adjust its power output based on real-world racing experiences if deemed necessary.
