Red Bull gap shows 2022 F1 rules less restrictive than expected

For 2022, F1 switched to a car concept based around exploiting the ground effect from the floor, with the aim of making it easier for drivers to race each other by reducing the turbulent wake.

The regulations were also tightened to make it less likely that one team would steal a march on the opposition. Alongside the effects of the budget cap, it was hoped that F1’s new era would produce a grid that is much closer.

While the rules appear to have hit the mark with a…