The 2025 Formula 1 championship conclusion in Abu Dhabi marked the culmination of the ground-effect vehicle regulation period. These rules, implemented in 2022, sought three primary objectives: enhancing competition by enabling closer driver pursuit, reducing the performance gap among teams, and fostering a financially viable and enduring championship.
Reflecting on the period, Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s director for single-seater cars, offered a dual evaluation: while progress has generally moved in the desired trajectory, comprehensive success across all domains remains elusive.
Tombazis conveyed to specific media outlets, including Autosport, that “I believe we’ve advanced considerably towards most of these objectives, but I would definitely not assert complete triumph in every aspect; thus, I wouldn’t award us a top grade. Perhaps a B or C would be more appropriate.”
The successful aspects primarily pertain to the financial viability of Formula 1. Tombazis conceded that, despite its intricacies, the cost cap has considerably complicated the FIA’s regulatory role for the series. However, he also emphasized that it has profoundly stabilized and improved the championship’s overall health. The Greek official further stated, “I would unequivocally say that the absence of financial regulations is now unthinkable. Therefore, I consider that a triumph.”
Regarding the enhancement of the racing spectacle itself, the situation presents a nuanced view. Tombazis remarked, referencing the 2022 and 2023 seasons, that “From a technical standpoint, I believe vehicles indeed reached a stage where they were capable of competing in closer proximity.”
“Our performance falls short of perfect scores because there existed certain regulatory elements—not precisely oversights, but rather somewhat overly lenient provisions—that allowed teams to implement designs generating significant ‘outwash.'”
Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
When questioned about the specific domains involved, Tombazis elucidated: “Primarily, these involved the front wing endplate. The initial intention for the front wing endplate was for it to be an ‘inwashing’ component. However, the regulations governing the shaping and attachment of profiles to the endplate proved insufficiently stringent. This resulted in profiles in that region becoming notably ‘outwashing,’ generating substantial outwash.”
“Another domain significantly exploited was the design of the front wheel’s drum, specifically the internal components of the front wheel. Additionally, I would classify the floor’s periphery within this category. These were the chief factors leading to a decline in performance compared to the regulatory objectives.”
Not enough support to change the rules for 2024 or 2025
Collectively, these factors resulted in an increase in turbulent air, making it considerably harder for cars to follow each other compared to early 2022, a period when the FIA considered the on-track action acceptable. When questioned about whether the regulatory body had contemplated modifying the rules during the recent cycle, Tombazis confirmed that such discussions had indeed taken place.
He stated, “The aspects I referred to aren’t recent revelations; they were pertinent two years prior. Why did we not implement alterations? We made an attempt, but we lacked sufficient consensus from the participating teams.”
“Amending regulations mid-cycle requires a specific governance process, implying that a substantial majority of teams must endorse any proposed modifications. It isn’t merely a matter of our intentions.”
Nevertheless, Tombazis anticipates that turbulent air will be a diminished concern for the upcoming year, given its renewed prominence in the revised regulations. He concluded, “Regarding the outwash, we are confident it will improve. Let us revisit this conversation in two years, and hopefully, we’ll be able to report full satisfaction, all with smiles.”
