Kravitz uses vacuum cleaner to demo 2022 rules
Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz has used an unusual and yet simple method to demonstrate the new ground-effect aerodynamic regulations used for the 2022 F1 season.
Taking to Twitter and using his trusty Dyson, Kravitz attempted to explain the new aero rules coming into force this season in his own unique way.
The new regulations, which have dramatically changed the look of the cars, were introduced in an effort to improve racing and allow drivers to be able to follow each other much more closely.
The Briton explained how the regulations were introduced in order to improve racing and spice up the action.
“Remember how some drivers complained at some circuits it was so hard to follow?” said Kravitz.
“It’s very difficult to overtake when they get close to the car in front. They lose downforce, they slide around, it wrecks their tyres and it makes it even harder to overtake.
“That’s because there was a lot of turbulent air behind each car. Well, this regulation change aims to reduce that and clean up the air flow from one car to the other to make it easier to race and hopefully get better racing.”
Ted Kravitz explains the new rules and regulations for 2022 with most teams launching their cars this week ahead of the new Formula One season! 👇 pic.twitter.com/ql52r9Scsl
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 10, 2022
The ground-effect aerodynamics aim to reduce the dirty air coming out of the back of the car and provide a cleaner pocket of air for the driver behind to follow. The technical changes are extensive and the British journalist explained them in detail.
“They have changed the front wings, the barge-boards and they have changed the rear wings as well,” Kravitz explained.
“So they create less downforce and much less turbulent air. But if they lessen the downforce from these bits, you’ve got to have downforce from somewhere haven’t you?
“So how have they managed to do that?
“They are going to change the undersides of the car – there’s much more freedom now for the designers to use what they call ground-effect.
“Ground-effect is when you increase the amount of air underneath the car, this high-speed air coming out of the back creates a low pressure area and that sucks the car down to the ground.”
The Sky Sports pit-lane reporter then took matters into his own hands to explain how the ground-effect aerodynamics will work.
Switching on the vacuum cleaner in “boost” setting, and tentatively turning it upside down with a model of the Mercedes W09 on top, Kravitz was able to keep the car stuck to the track…sorry, Dyson.
“Yes! Look at that! Brilliant,” the excited Kravitz exclaimed.
“This shows ground-effect suction will be so crucial this year and whoever gets the most ground-effect downforce will be the fastest and probably win the World Championship.
“And that’s why the 2022 F1 cars will look so different when they launch this week.”