Formula 1: Formula 1 has been considering the introduction of LED wheel covers for several years, with the intention of displaying additional information to fans during a race. The technology was tested by McLaren during the 2021 post-season test in Abu Dhabi, with the hope that it would help spectators better understand what was happening on the track during a session or a race. Follow Formula 1 LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Pirelli’s head of car racing and F1, Mario Isola, was enthusiastic about the possibilities for the information that could be displayed through the LEDs.
He explained that the device could display a variety of information, such as the position of the car, logos, and lap times during qualifying. According to him, the technology was easy to program, so teams could display whatever information they wanted.
However, the LED wheel covers have been abandoned following the latest meeting of the F1 Commission. The revised technical regulations for 2024 no longer include the rule detailing the potential introduction of the LED systems.
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The original Article 8.18 stated that, depending on the availability of the necessary technology, the FIA may request each of the four-wheel covers described in Article 3.13.7 to be fitted with a rotating LED display panel to provide visual information to spectators. The fact that this rule has been removed officially rules out any possibility of the LED systems coming into play in the near future.
One of the biggest concerns about the LED systems was the potential weight increase in a sensitive area of the car. The switch from 13-inch to 18-inch wheels had already triggered a significant increase in mass, with the fronts being 2.5kg heavier and the rears 3kg up.
Adding more weight due to LED systems would only exacerbate the issue, especially as many teams were already struggling to get their cars below the minimum weight limit. As a result, adding extra weight due to the LED systems was not a popular idea among teams.
Despite the progress made in LED technology, the LED wheel covers have been abandoned as they would not provide any significant advantage to the sport, and they would not be beneficial to the teams.
With this decision, Formula 1 can focus on other innovations and improvements that could benefit the sport and its fans.
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