Aerodynamic gains with F1's 2017 regulations proving 'staggering'
The aerodynamic gains being made through Formula 1's incoming 2017 technical regulations are "staggering", according to Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds
The revamped regulations are headlined by wider front and rear wings and tyres, with a view to making F1 cars three-to-five seconds per lap faster.
On paper, they also offer teams such as Williams, which has fallen from third to fifth in the constructors' championship, an opportunity to jump back up the order.
While encouraged by Williams's 2017 progress, Symonds acknowledges that there is no reference point, and he is also mindful of what its rivals could be doing.
Asked how the team is shaping up for 2017 by Autosport, Symonds said: "It's really hard to say because the gains we are making on aerodynamics on next year's car are just staggering.
"Every week in the windtunnel it's just pulling downforce onto the thing, but I can't believe we are alone on that.
"I'm sure that's happening in 11 windtunnels around the world, so you just never know.
"We normally have targets for what we're going to achieve in aerodynamics, but next year you can't say because you don't know what the target is.
"You can say it's an aspiration, a likelihood or whatever, but you just don't know what the targets are until we go testing and see where everyone else is."
Along with the rate of development, Symonds has been surprised by the fact gains have been ongoing, while other design changes have been prompted by Pirelli's resized tyres.
"That creative element is totally different," he said.
"I read the daily reports and I'm like, 'wow, how did we find that sort of amount?'
"You sort of think that is going to be tailing off. Right now, it's not really.
"Of course the slope isn't quite what it was in the first month or so but it's still remarkable.
"Don't forget that not all the focus is on the aero.
"One of the things we have to cope with is handling these new prescriptions from Pirelli.
"It's not easy. Like most teams, we've had to do suspension geometry changes, we have had to do totally different types of brake ducts."
Where is the next British Formula 1 star?
Mercedes Formula 1 team believes it is on course to break even
The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era
A low-key Valencia test left some quarters of Porsche's Formula E squad worried, but a 100% winning start for the German manufacturer's powertrain in 2022-23 underlines its early race day advantage. Porsche's key figures explain the strong start in Gen3, and why the work is only just beginning
Acura aces hope Daytona 24 1-2 changes Honda's Le Mans outlook
Acura's Tom Blomqvist and Filipe Albuquerque hope the marque's 1-2 in the Daytona 24 Hours could encourage Honda to enter the car in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2024.
Why F1 considered reintroducing 'fan car' aerodynamics for 2026
The recent revelation that Formula 1 chiefs briefly evaluated the idea of fan cars being part of a new rules set from 2026 was fascinating on two levels.
Did the new national series of 2022 fly or flop?
There weren’t many standout stars from the selection of series launched during last year’s tricky financial climate. Autosport rates how they fared
The Mercedes F1 pressure changes under 10 years of Toto Wolff
OPINION: Although the central building blocks for Mercedes’ recent, long-lasting Formula 1 success were installed before he joined the team, Toto Wolff has been instrumental in ensuring it maximised its finally-realised potential after years of underachievement. The 10-year anniversary of Wolff joining Mercedes marks the perfect time to assess his work
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.