The minimum F1 car weight is up for 2021, by 3kg from 746kg to 749kg, with the minimum weight of the power unit up to 150kg to stop engine suppliers spending money on new hi-tech lightweight materials. The rear diffuser must be simpler, too, as must the ducting in the rear brakes.

There must be less flex in the floor, too, down from 10mm to 8mm when a 500Nm force is applied. The FIA wanted to see a 10 per cent reduction in downforce to reduce tyre wear, so aerodynamic devices like holes and vents on the outside of the floor have been outlawed and the floor must be cut diagonally 1,800mm back from the front axle. The knock-on effect of that means 2021 F1 cars will be developments of those from the 2020 season. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting financial strain put on F1 teams and other businesses, the big F1 car rule change that was scheduled for 2021 has been pushed back to 2022. There are some key rule changes that will affect the 2021 F1 cars. For the 2021 season there are new F1 drivers and established names in fresh overalls, but as in 2020 there are 10 teams. There were ten teams and 20 cars on the grid in 2020, and for various reasons 23 drivers occupying those race seats. The W12 therefore is expected to be more than a second slower on an average lap than the W11. In an attempt to increase competitiveness across the grid, however, a number of rules have been put in place to reduce car performance. The coronavirus pandemic meant the new set of radical technical regulations due for 2021 were pushed back to 2022, giving teams some technical, and therefore financial, breathing space. The W12 will be a development of the W11, the car that took Lewis Hamilton to his seventh drivers’ title and the team to its seventh consecutive constructors’ championship. In a statement, Mercedes said: “The designation 'E Performance' is the new technology label used in product names and badging on all forthcoming Mercedes-AMG hybrid cars, with the W12 being our first Formula 1 car to feature 'E Performance' in its name.” Mercedes is only the third team to confirm a 2021 F1 car launch date, after Alfa Romeo (22 nd February) and McLaren (15 th February). Formula 1’s 2020 champions will reveal the new Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance on Tuesday 2 nd March in a virtual launch. Updated 12:10 Tuesday 2 nd February 2021. Update: Mercedes W12 to launch 2 nd March

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