New F1 cars are getting “damn fast” – Motorsport Week

Nico Hulkenberg believes that the new generation of Formula 1 cars will still be “damn fast” and asks whether it will be easier to follow another driver.

Hülkenberg has not driven full-time in Formula 1 since 2019 and had three assignments as a replacement in 2020, but spent 2021 as a replacement driver for Aston Martin.

Formula 1 is introducing revised technical regulations this year aimed at making tighter, more exciting races possible, with the expectation that the effects of dirty air will be reduced.

This led to expectations that the new generation of cars will be slower than their direct predecessors, but Hulkenberg doubts that this will actually be the case.

“They aimed [the car] being a little slower, more difficult to drive, more focusing on drivers who can make a difference [than having] Car performance and aerodynamics dominate, ”said Hulkenberg on LinkedIn.

“In my first experience, however, the new cars are damn fast and not necessarily slower than the last generation.

“The driving experience hasn’t changed that much either, at least in the simulator. It will be very interesting to see if these cars are really better at following the car in front.

“The cornering speeds in the simulator are extremely high, so there is still a risk of“ dirty air ”and I can hardly imagine that at these speeds it will be easy to follow another car in comfort.

“In any case, I hope that we will be pleasantly surprised. As soon as the pre-season tests begin, drivers and teams will find out how the cars really behave on the track. “

Hülkenberg, who spent most of his decades-long career in midfield, expects the pecking order won’t change significantly in 2022.

“I’m also curious to see which teams and drivers will start best,” he said.

“This is where the wheat is separated from the chaff, and the guys who learn quickly, adapt quickly and adapt well to new conditions will initially be at the forefront.

“Things can change later in the year because it’s going to be a huge learning curve for everyone involved.

“The development teams are there, they will shift the order in such a long season. It is still too early to make predictions, although I would be very surprised if the top teams from previous years are not right at the front. “