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."
Previous article
Where is the next British Formula 1 star?
Next article
Mercedes Formula 1 team believes it is on course to break even
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
Why Ricciardo was set for Monza F1 triumph even without Verstappen/Hamilton crash
The clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was the major flashpoint the 2021 Italian Grand Prix will be remembered for. Yet by this point, race leader Daniel Ricciardo had already done the hard work that would put him in position to end his and McLaren's lengthy win droughts, on a memorable afternoon in Monza
Why Italian GP success is on for McLaren even if Verstappen dominates
For the second time in 2021, McLaren will line up for the start of a grand prix from the first row. It knows it has the chance of “glory” if things go well for Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris at the start of the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, but even if they just maintain their grid positions, signs from the rest of the Monza weekend suggest success is very possible for Formula 1’s other orange army
The F1 media favourite who lifted a broken Lotus
Graham Hill was nearly 30 when he made his Formula 1 debut. NIGEL ROEBUCK examines the life of a gifted racer whose talismanic personality defined an era
