The Formula 1 premiere in Las Vegas was presented with a computer animation. © f1
Formula 1 starts the new season on Sunday with changes: more races, more sprints, more safety. But that’s not all.
March 01, 2023
From: apa
In the premier class of motorsport, there is a record calendar with 23 Grand Prix in 2023, and for the first time the gambling city of Las Vegas will also be driving. In addition, the number of sprint races has been doubled, and there are only minor rule changes to the cars themselves. The big rule revolution didn’t happen this year.
The sprint races, the results of which will be used to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix, have been increased from three to six. The 100km mini-events will be held in Baku, Spielberg, Spa-Francorchamps, Doha, Austin and Sao Paulo. The usual qualification takes place on Friday. The result of this session is the basis for the sprint line-up the next day. There is a free choice of tires in the sprint race, and pit stops are not mandatory. Points are also awarded, the winner gets eight, the eighth place one.
New qualification system
Formula 1 will also test a slightly modified qualification system for up to two races. A new tire rule is intended to reduce the number of tires used in the interests of sustainability. The rubber compound to be used is prescribed in the three knockout rounds. The hard mix in the first session, the medium in the second and the soft in the third session in the battle for pole position. The drivers are also not allowed to use more than eleven sets of slicks on these weekends, otherwise 13 are permitted.
In any case, the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18 (November 19 CET) should be a spectacle. It is the third USA race after Miami and Austin. The contract with the gambling city was concluded until the end of 2025, but the organizers have already received the green light until the end of 2032. Formula 1 also digged deep into its pockets for the drive across the Las Vegas Strip, the legendary section of Las Vegas Boulevard with the dazzling casino hotels. Land was purchased for an estimated $240 million to build a pit facility and guest areas.
In Las Vegas, the advertising drum is being banged on vigorously. © Formula 1 / Denise Truscello – Formula 1
In the case of the cars, however, a revised roll bar should ensure more safety. Last year, Guanyu Zhou landed in the safety fence at Silverstone with his Alfa Romeo. The roll bars were revised in response to the horrific crash. The titanium protection must have a rounded top so that it does not dig into the ground in the event of an accident and does not trap the car.
Lewis Hamilton in the new Mercedes car. © APA / afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE
In addition, the cars had to slim down a bit. The minimum weight has been reduced from 798 to 796 kg (without fuel). Many teams therefore do without painted surfaces on their cars, which would be unnecessarily heavy. This can be observed particularly well in the Mercedes with the bare carbon fiber skin in black. In addition, the so-called “porpoising”, i.e. the “jumping” of the cars, should finally be history. After adjustments in the previous year, the outer edges of the car underbody have now been increased by 15 millimeters. This is intended to better dissipate the accumulated air under the car and reduce “bouncing”.
