If Formula 1’s inaugural season in 2024 has a common theme, it is not so much about new technological advancements, but rather the absence of something: vibrant colors.
The use of exposed carbon fiber has been a prominent feature in every 2024 launch thus far.
Due to the need for every gram of weight to contribute to performance and the challenge of meeting the weight limit for hybrid cars, teams are becoming increasingly frugal with paint or vinyl wraps.
The addition of a full-color scheme, weighing approximately 1kg, would result in a time increase of around 0.03 seconds per lap for a car at the weight limit before painting. In a 60-lap race, this equates to a total of 1.8 seconds. Even for cars under the weight limit, this additional weight does not enhance performance.
In the third year of these regulations, most teams have mastered the art of reaching the weight limit. However, for those who manage to go below it, simply adding ballast is not sufficient.
Ballast does not contribute to performance in this context, and paint or wrapping essentially serves as additional weight.
Teams now aim to utilize any available weight for something that will enhance performance.
Alpine’s technical director, Matt Harman, provided a great example by highlighting the straight exhaust outlet on the A524, which eliminates any pressure-reducing curves.
To achieve this, the exhaust must pass through the upper suspension carrier, which needs to be made heavier to maintain its structural strength.
However, with weight savings implemented elsewhere in the car, this additional weight is not excessive. By improving the route of the exhaust outlet, it enhances the performance of the power unit, even if only by a small margin. Each incremental improvement is pursued, as the cumulative effect can make a significant difference.
Therefore, it seems as if the limited use of colors is now merely suggestive of a livery, rather than explicitly showcasing it. However, this lack of color is uninspiring. Color and noise have always been integral to the excitement of racing.
The introduction of hybrid cars has already diminished the noise factor, and now we are losing color as well.
As with any aspect of F1 that is deemed undesirable but contributes to performance, the only way to eliminate it is through regulation.
Regulating color presents a challenge and brings to mind the idea of defining specific colors within a set range of light frequencies in the regulations!
However, there may be a solution to this peculiar problem. It may not even be necessary to require the carbon to be painted or wrapped. Back in 2013, Prodrive developed colorized carbon fiber.
In any case, F1 teams should minimize the use of carbon black.