Following a major overhaul to the aerodynamic regulations, F1 cars are now at the ♎heaviest they have ever been at a minimum weight of 798kg, thanks to an increase of 3kg on the eve of the 2022 season. 

Speaking to mahbx.com about the regulation changes for 2022, the M﷽ercedes driver, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers🐻’ Association, revealed the concerns he has. 

“Th🦩ere’s a lot of positives to take from this regulation change, ꦇbut equally, the big [issue] is the weight,” said Russell. 

“The weight is extraordinary. At the moment, 🦂the low-speed performance is not great.  

“We keep making these cars safer and safer, but obviou🐷sly the heavier you make them when you have an impact it’s like crashing with a bus compared to a Smart Car.  

“You’re going to⛦ have a greater impact if you’re going the same speed with a car that weights 800-odd-kgs or over 900kgs at the start of a race, compared to one 15 years ago when they were at 650kg.  

“And I’m sure there’s analysis going on about striking that right balance because I ಞdon’t know where the line is drawn. &nb🌊sp;

“If you just keep making it heavier, heavier, heavier, stronger, stronger, st💟ronger – actually you get to a point w🔜here you cross over that [line] that too heavy is actually not safer.”  

Over the past 20 years the weight of F1 cars has risen significantly&nb💜sp;from 625kg to 798kg. 

The minimum car weight limit rose from 746kg to 749kg in 2021. The 2022 weight increase stems from larger impact-abs𝓡orbing structures on the cars amid increased safety demands.&nb🐽sp;

The effects of car weight on performance proved to be one of t💜he biggest challenges for teams in 2022 and became a major focus area for teams to ga♌in competitiveness.