Formula One introduces new sliding scale for aero testing that could make racing in 2021 more exciting, unpredictable

The new regulation will level the playing field for a lot of the smaller teams.

By Shannon Tellis, ET Bureau | May 29, 2020, 08.52 AM IST

As part of a package of changes, from 2021, teams will be restricted to the number of wind tunnel testing runs and computer aided design (CAD) hours they can do to develop their racing car.

Formula One is set to make history next season with a radical new sliding scale on aerodynamic development that will level the playing field for a lot of the smaller teams, leading to more competitive and unpredictable racing.

As part of a package of changes, from 2021, teams will be restricted to the number of wind tunnel testing runs and computer aided design (CAD) hours they can do to develop their racing car. This will be done in reverse championship order, meaning the lowest placed team will be able to spend more time on aerodynamic work than the top teams.

For 2021, the default allowance will be reduced to 320 wind tunnel runs every 8 weeks, that is about 40 runs per week. Under the new sliding scale, the tenth-placed team (based on the championship position at the end of the previous season) will be permitted 112.5 per cent of that allowance, effectively 45 runs per week, while the top team will get just 90 per cent or 36 runs within the same time frame.

Whilst this won’t lead to overnight changes, simulations show that over the course of a few seasons, it could help to close the gap between teams.

Up until this year, teams were limited to 65 runs in the wind tunnel per week.

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