Following a leak of a F1 design study, Formula 1 officially revealed a trio of concept proposals for the sport’s upcoming overhaul in 2021.

The three concepts are giving us an idea of where F1 is heading, revealing that the organizers want the new generation of single-seaters to not only look prettier but also be able to follow each other more easily and therefore increasing the overtaking action.

“Once the cars get within a few car lengths of each other, they lose 50% of their downforce. That’s a substantial amount of performance lost. So we set about understanding why that was and how we can improve it. I’m pleased to say we’re at about 80%,” said Formula 1 motorsport boss Ross Brawn.

“As time has gone on, another of the primary objectives was to make great looking cars. We want cars that look better than what you see in a video game, cars that kids want to have up on their walls. At each stage, as we have been evolving the car, we’ve had someone we are working with create a graphic representation artist to give us a feel of what the car could look like,” he added.

Concept 1

F1’s first 2021 Concept shows how the halo cockpit protection device can be much more integrated with the rest of the car and therefore looking much better.

Concept 2

The second concept is more aggressive, with aerodynamicists working together with the graphics designers for a prettier look. One of the stand-out features are the bigger 18-inch wheels, which we know for some time that they will be present on future F1 cars.

Concept 3

The third and last concept is described as the “most current”, giving us a first taste of the planned devices that aim to control the airflow coming off the wheels. “The tires and the wheels are the dirtiest area of the car, they cause huge disruption in the airflow,” says Brawn. “We are starting to look at devices that can stabilize the flow as it comes of the wheel. It’s maturing as we go along.”