This week's race took place in Sochi, Russia. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Sochi was the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Village from those games evolved into the track for the Russian Grand Prix.
The evolution of this complex from the Olympic games to a Formula 1 track brings up an interesting subject of evolution in Formula 1: the evolution of Formula 1 race cars. It’s important to understand the history of the sport to appreciate it today and where it’s going in the future.
Starting in 2022, major regulation changes will affect Formula 1 cars that will continue to develop the sport into something that someone from the 1950s — when Formula 1 started — couldn’t even fathom. That was only 71 years ago. Imagine where racing will be in the next 71 years.
So what has McLaren conceptualized for the next generation of Formula 1 cars?
When Formula 1 started in the 1950s, cars were front-engine behemoths with V16 engines, regular car tyres, and no thought for aerodynamics. It was all about power. These cars were dangerous, with no safety features and no driver aids. Eventually, as the decade went on, Formula 1 implemented regulations like smaller engines and the use of regular gasoline.
Reference -1950 Maserati
When the 1960s arrived, teams realized that putting the engine in the back made the distribution of the weight of the car more manageable, and performance increased. This is also the era when teams started to really look at aerodynamics to help decrease lap times. There were many different aerodynamic configurations during this time. One that stands out is the addition of giant rear wings that may be several feet higher than the car.
McLaren 1968/1969 M7A
During the 1970s, teams really got into the modern aerodynamic makeup of the cars, with front and rear wings as well as slick tyres. Innovation became the focus on these cars since regulations banned certain engine enhancements, but it was also the first time turbochargers were used.
1974 McLaren M23
When the 1980s came around, McLaren changed everything by developing a chassis made of carbon fiber instead of metal. This dropped the weight of the car and pushed chassis development into a new and lighter space.
1986 McLaren MP4-2C
The 1990s brought the removal of turbos in the series, as well as greater attention to driver safety. After the death of onetime McLaren driver Ayrten Senna, Formula 1 couldn’t take any more high profile deaths in the sport and took driver safety to another level.
1993 McLaren MP4-8
The 2000s introduced the era of KERS (Kinetic Energy Reserve System), which allowed cars to capture power through braking and apply that energy back to the engine for acceleration. This addition was also when reliability in the series. More changes occurred to make the cars more competitive with each other. In 2011, the Drag Reduction System (DRS) was added to allow cars that are within one second of the car in front to open the rear wing to reduce drag. This gives the car behind about a 30 mph advantage on certain areas of the track.
2008 McLaren MP4-23
In 2018, the halo around the driver’s head was introduced. This addition continued to show F1’s priorities of keeping drivers safe. The halo has already paid major dividends in the sport, as shown by reviewing crashes where cars ended up on top of each other. We actually just saw this in Italy where Max Verstappen ended up on top of Lewis Hamilton.
2021 McLaren MCL35M
McLaren is an innovative company, so why not see what might be possible in the future? The MP4-X is definitely a future prototype that has adaptive aerodynamics. The car's shape will actually change! The car would also use solar power to assist with boosts. There’s lots of cool, innovative concepts in this car. You can read more about it here and see it in the McLaren papaya color.
McLaren MP4-X
As you can see, the history of Formula 1 cars is full of innovations, and the future of Formula 1 has no bounds. In fact, next year a new generation of Formula 1 cars will be introduced with many changes to the cost and spending regulations to continue to push the teams closer and closer together. The closer the cars, the better the racing.
Check out this video that Formula 1 put together to show the evolution of Formula 1 cars. Make sure you have your volume on. As the image transforms from car to car, the sound of the car matches the image.
Russian Grand Prix
This Sochi Autodrome is a track with very little elevation change, contains high tyre degradation, and a difficult place to pass. The first half of the track has a flow to it, where the second half of the track is very technical. As the Formula 1 cars drive through a very long corner, passed the flags of the countries that participated in the 2014 winter Olympics, and into a heavy braking zone, you get to see that transition from flow to technical.
Free Practice Recap
How to read: session#, best lap time, (time behind first place time) number of laps in session, best place finish in session.
Lando Norris #4
FP1 1m35.959s (+1.532s) 24 laps 8th
FP2 1m34.154s (+0.561s) 17 laps 4th
FP3 Cancelled due to wet weather
Daniel Ricciardo #3
FP1 1m36.877s (+2.450s) 23 laps 14th
FP2 1m35.630s (+2.037s) 12 laps 17th
FP3 Cancelled due to wet weather
Qualifying Recap
How to Read: session#, fastest lap time, best place finish in session.
Lando Norris #4
Q1 1m47.238s (Softs) 5th
Q2 1m45.827s (Softs) 4th
Q3 1m41.993s (Softs) 1st
Daniel Ricciardo #3
Q1 1m48.345s (Softs) 13th
Q2 1m46.361s (Softs) 8th
Q3 1m44.156s (Softs) 5th
Race Recap:
Congratulations to Lando Norris for his first pole position in Formula 1. This is the second race in a row that McLaren put a very big stamp on the race. Lando started on pole with Daniel Ricciardo starting 5th. As the lights went out the chaos of the race began. Lando lost his first place spot on turn 2 and slipped to 2nd. Daniel had a very good start but was held up for a quite a while in traffic. The Sochi track is a high degradation track, which means that tyres will not last long here. Teams made very quick decisions to change tyres early except McLaren. On lap 11 Lando was able to pass into first place and after some other teams pitted, McLaren found themselves in first and second place. Obviously at this point the race was going really well for McLaren, but neither of the McLaren’s had pitted at this point. Once both McLaren’s pitted, Lando stayed in the lead and Daniel fell back to 6th, but ended up finishing 4th. Lando on the other hand was driving his heart out to try and stave off the pressure of Lewis Hamilton coming after the lead. With 5 laps to go the rain came and everyone started to pit to put on intermediate tyres for the conditions. Lando did not pit as he thought that he could make it without pitting, but with three laps left the car was undriveable. Lando ended up sliding off the track and getting passed by Lewis Hamilton. Lando then needed to pit with two laps left and ended up finishing 7th.
It was a heartbreaking day for Lando as this looked to be his first pole position and win, but unfortunately the rain came at the wrong time and McLaren did their best to keep the lead without pitting. Even though Lando had a setback, he and the rest of the team should have more confidence in their abilities as again they showed that they can now compete with the Mercedes and Red Bull for the win. Can’t wait for Turkey!
|
Russian 2021 Podium |
Points |
Drivers Championship Points |
Points |
Constructor Championship Points |
Points |
|
Lewis Hamilton |
25 |
Lewis Hamilton |
246.5 |
Mercedes |
397.5 |
|
Max Verstappen |
18 |
Max Verstappen |
244.5 |
Red Bull |
364.5 |
|
Carlos Sianz |
15 |
Valtteri Bottas |
151 |
McLaren |
234 |
Next Race: Turkish Grand Prix
Date: Sunday, October 10
Track: Intercity Istanbul Park
