Skip to main content

Ferrari asks what the future of Formula 1 could be with this design concept

Ferrari F1 Design Concept
Image used with permission by copyright holder
There are a lot of people who aren’t happy with the way things are in Formula 1 at the moment, beyond just the fans. So much so that there was a meeting held by the F1 Commission on Tuesday to discuss a radical overhaul in the rules and regulations of the sport to be implemented by next year. Ferrari, a big proponent for changing things up, brought attention to these talks by releasing a design concept of just what the future of Formula 1 could hold.

Think of it as a “For your consideration” ad for motorsport instead of the Academy Awards. Accompanying the picture is Ferrari asking “Would it be possible to come up with an F1 car which not only is technologically advanced, but also captivating to the eye and aggressive-looking?”

The F1 concept was conceived by the Ferrari’s central design team in an attempt to make a Formula race car more aggressive and striking to look at, but still roughly staying in the ballpark of the technical regulations, something that would captivate the spectators better. It’s certainly impressive, but we haven’t yet met the F1 driver who would agree to having his head bolted onto the bodywork of the racer.

Ferrari F1 Design Concept
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This is similar to the Red Bull X1 car that the team dreamed up fpor the Gran Turismo racing game series, only that car was an exercise to see what car they could design that was unbound by the sporting rules.

From what’s been reported, we know that the sweeping changes, including increasing the output of the six-cylinder engines to 1,000 horsepower and using wider tires, are on hold until 2017. Some proposed cost cutting changes were also on the table, which would help financially struggling teams stay in the game, likely in response to this year’s fall of Marussia and Caterham.

The extended time frame means the changes proposed could be given the proper time to be implemented instead of hastily applied, potentially causing more problems than they’d solve. Until then, it’s just another day at the races.

Editors' Recommendations

Alexander Kalogianni
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Read more
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.

Read more