Formula 1: end of 2022 for Ferrari F1-75 and Mercedes W13

Ferrari spent the last of its F1-75 development budget at the Singapore and Japanese GPs, introducing a modified floor, aiming to better control the air vortices generated by the front wheels to make lift from the rear more efficient.

Scuderia Director Mattia Binotto said this new floor is the latest development for this year’s Cavallino as “we’ve reached our spending limit for this year”. The Italian explained “The data we collect [στην Ιαπωνία] from the new floor confirms that this is a leap in performance [του αυτοκινήτου]”.

However, this development did not seem to solve the F1-75’s main problem over the last six races, which was the excessive wear of its tires – as can be seen in theCharles Leclerc’s fully worn Intermediate tire at the end of the Suzuka race. And the Monegasse confirmed it: “We are very good at warming up the tires, but after three or four laps we destroy them.”‘ he stressed.

The standstill in Ferrari F1-75 development may not help it claim a fifth or more win this year in the four races remaining until the end of the year. It might not help Leclerc to take 2nd in the Drivers’ Championship from Sergio Perez or Carlos Sainz to take 4th from Mercedes’ George Russell.

In the battle with Mercedes for second place in the constructors’ championship, however, it will probably not do the Scuderia much harm. Not only because the Italian team has a 67-point lead over the Brackley team, but also because the champion will also stop developing the W13 after the next race in Austin, Texas.

“There we have the last step of our aerodynamic upgrade for this year.” confirms Mercedes chief engineer Andrew Sovlin. “There are also some areas that we’ve lightened a bit and hopefully that will bring the car closer to the weight limit.”added the Brit.

But most importantly, all these developments carry over to the 2023 car, which will be an evolution of this year’s – compared to this year’s, which were designed blank last year due to the radical change in the regulations. “With every step we take, we learn more and more about the parts that we will keep for the future,” concluded Sovlin.

Possible Texas penalties for RBR and Ferrari

However, Ferrari’s cessation of development does not mean that the F1-75 will no longer have new components from now on. The Scuderia will be one of several teams switching gears at the US GP in Texas, according to reliable information – and that’s because the US circuit offers the most overtaking opportunities to make up for lost places with penalties in excess of the allowable mechanical parts.

According to the same information, Red Bull Racing is also seriously considering installing a new powerplant in Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s RB18s. In addition, Haas is also preparing the complete or partial replacement of its power units, as well as Alpha Tauri.

So in Texas it seems very likely that with the plethora of mechanical changes from all these teams, we’re going to have that grid order mess again that we had at Spa and Monza. And perhaps a chance for Hamilton to continue his 15-season streak of at least one win a year and set a record by finishing 16th.