Formula 1 decided to make changes to improve safety for drivers and shift regulations for better racing performances to be executed. Let’s take a dive into the changes that have been implemented to this year’s regulations. For driver safety, changes have been made to technical regulations. The regulations now state that “a rounded top is required on the roll hoop, reducing the chance of it digging into the ground an accident.” They’ve also decided to add a new homologation test, where the load pushes the roll hoop in a more forward direction. These changes derived strictly from last-year’s terrifying accident by Zhou Guanyu at the beginning of the 2022 British Grand Prix. Guanyu’s accident involved his Alfa Romeo sliding through the course of the track while upside down.

Additional changes to promote driver safety like expanding the width of rearview mirrors are also taking place. The mirrors have been set to increase by fifty millimeters, moving from one-hundred-fifty millimeters to two-hundred. This expansion of width is to help driver visibility while on the track.

While some changes have been implemented to increase driver safety, other have been placed to improve racing performances. Floor edges and diffuser throat heights have been raised by approximately 15mm to increase the riding height. Additionally, more sensors have been mandated to more effectively monitor the porpoising phenomenon.

The last major modification that Formula 1 decided on was the minimum weight limit of the car. This change has been underway for quite some time now, as it was a discussion that was presented last year. Now that the changes have been, the minimum weight limit dropped by 2kg and currently sits at 796kg without fuel. With all the changes that were implemented for this year, a safer and more exciting racing season is expected to occur.