Brawn: 2022 F1 cars a step forward from “horrible” previous generation

F1’s new era got underway on Sunday as all 20 cars took to the track in competitive action for the first time.

Charles Leclerc won the 2022 Bahrain GP after an exciting duel with reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen.

Generally speaking, the racing up and down the field provided a good spectacle, particularly in the midfield with cars following more closely. 

While the initial impression of the new rules was positive, Brawn is remaining cautious for now.

“It is a sample based on one, so let's not get ahead of ourselves,” he said on Sunday after the race. “But we have seen no negatives today, which is a great thing. I think now once the drivers have debriefed and the FIA start to look at all the data we can see how far we have been able to move.

“But the old cars were horrible, so we have been able to make that step. I think we have shown that the raceability of the car has to be a strong consideration going forward. It is not just one solution and we are going to stop. We need to keep this process up and we need to keep working and understanding how we can make great racing cars and continue the development in that right direction.”

The top three teams still held a significant advantage over the midfield but Brawn doesn’t think that’ll be a problem as it’s easier to race wheel-to-wheel.

“Obviously new regulations, it looks to me like two or three teams have not got it right,” Brawn added. “But it wasn't that bad. As always if we can get two or three teams at the front racing hard, a strong midfield, then I think we should be pleased but if those cars can race, that's the key thing.

“You can't forget the impact the cost cap is going to have, because no one out there at the minute is going to be able to put another $100 million into their programme to solve their problems.

“So that is going to have a flatter development rate, so no one is going to pull away. I think a lot of things are going to come together so we can look forward to having a great year.”