First sight: F1 2020

As a taster for next month’s in-depth feature on this season’s Formula 1 cars Racecar reveals some of the best new tech spotted at the launches

- GEMMA HATTON

With stable regulations for 2020, this year’s F1 grid is very much an evolution of the last. This has allowed teams to focus on refining their aerodynamic concepts, packaging and cooling strategies. Yet although the cars may look similar, under the skin there have been endless technical tweaks; all trying to make a faster, lighter and more effiient racecar.

With 2021 on the horizon, the teams are also facing the challenge of when resources should be switched to developing their 2021 contender to kick start the next era of F1. Furthermore, teams will also be using this year’s car as a testing platform for developing the systems which will remain unchanged for 2021, such as the power unit and its associated systems. So, while on the surface it all might all look very similar, as always in F1 there are plenty of technical developments.

Mercedes W11