F2 | New generation as fast as the 2023 cars, but the preparation changes

Formula 2 2024 will represent a significant year for the preparatory category, not only because it will see many new talents making their debut, but also because a new technical cycle will begin. The 2023 Abu Dhabi post-season tests were in fact the last with the old generation single-seater, the 2018 F2, the car that had made its debut in 2018, as indicated by its name.

At the time, the organizers of the cadet series also tried to adapt to the stylistic dictates of Formula 1, with larger and lower wings, while 18-inch tires also subsequently arrived, ahead of the times of the top category as a test bed.

Even for the new generation which will make its debut in 2024, the Federation engineers who helped bring the project to life have tried to revive some concepts and visual ideas from Formula 1, but not without a touch of originality. The nose area, the bottom and the rear wing have been completely revised to try to reduce turbulence in the wake, which should allow closer duels, which have never been lacking in Formula 2. However, the rear wing presents a mix of ideas, between the endplate-less approach seen in F1 and the concepts seen on the Japanese Super Formula cars.

To get ready for the starting line of the new championship, behind the scenes Formula 2 has carried out numerous test sessions around the world, even if, for economic reasons, the first tests took place in Europe: everything took off with the shakedown in Italy, which was followed by tests at Magny-Cours in France and at the Jerez Circuit in Spain. To have references even with higher temperatures, the engineers also traveled to Bahrain, where they were able to verify the functioning and effectiveness of the cooling systems, reaching approximately 5000 km traveled in total.

Several drivers took part in the development tests to give engineers more feedback with different perspectives, including Tatiana Calderon and Felipe Drugovich, 2022 Formula 2 champion. “The feeling is very similar to the previous car in terms of pure performance, but the feel of the steering and the way the car turns in the different configurations make this the area of ​​greatest improvement compared to the old car,” explained the Colombian driver in an interview released by F2.

“F2 races are already the most fun to watch and you see a lot of overtaking. I think it will be interesting to see the effect of the new car. It will open up opportunities for all teams and drivers to make the competition even closer! I'll follow up next time year with great interest and I hope to be able to race with this new car in the future.”

Photo by: Formula Motorsport Ltd

F2 single-seater 2024

From a technical point of view, although it is a revolution, some aspects will remain in line with the single-seaters of the past, starting from the minimum mass imposed by the FIA, still set at 788kg, certainly not a featherweight. According to the drivers, the sensations and performance are also comparable to those of the old generation, while what will change above all will be the work of the engineers, who will have to understand even more thoroughly how to extract aerodynamic load from the lower part of the car.

Although in the past people tried to travel low, so much so that over the years there have been disqualifications due to excessively worn skids, at the same time with new generation cars this aspect will be even more crucial.

“I think the feel is very similar, the chassis is similar, the aerodynamic levels too. It's a new way of producing load, so the teams need to study it better and understand how to get more load with the car, by adjusting the height from the ground to the right point. The car will probably be as fast as the 2022 one [identica a quella 2023]. Let's hope the races are a little better. Usually with this type of aerodynamics a little less load is lost [in scia]so the race should be better,” explained Drugovich, who expects performance levels similar to those of past years.

The attention to load generation underneath the car, compared to the current methodology, could represent a fundamental key to establishing the order of the ranking. As has already happened in F1, several aspects in the management of tires in specific sections could also change in F2, as well as in the search for the best compromise between multiple setup elements. There may be riders who perhaps prefer slightly softer setups which could also help on curbs, while other teams will opt for stiffer setups while maintaining a platform as stable as possible.

“It's good for the championship, it could create a bit of confusion. The chassis is similar in the way it is handled, but due to the aerodynamics, the teams will have to understand the new concept and find the best compromises between the set-up mechanical and aerodynamic. Things will change, the teams will have to relearn how to set up and use this car, even the tire degradation could be different because you might be able to follow the guys in front a little more closely.”