The Formula 1 cars we’re familiar with today will be drastically overhauled for the 2022 season, and while they promise to look better, there’s no way they’ll look anywhere as near as epic as this futuristic Mercedes F1 car.
This stunning concept comes from Andries van Overbeeke and shares virtually nothing in common with the design of existing F1 models.
For starters, the concept features a jet fighter-style canopy. For some time, there were calls for Formula 1 cars to adopt canopies like this on safety grounds, but the sport ultimately decided to go for the controversial halo. Complementing the sweeping cockpit of this concept are gorgeous flowing lines that start with a striking front splitter that also houses thin LED headlights.
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Located just behind the front wheels are carbon fiber fins to help manage the airflow. At the rear, van Overbeeke’s F1 concept has a large yet stylish wing and a monster-sized diffuser to stick the car to the racetrack.
As much as we’d love to see Formula 1 cars look like this in the future, we’re doubtful we ever will. Not only could it prove very expensive to design cars like these, but history tells us that many Formula 1 teams can be quite resistant to change, particularly if it threatens to impact how they perform on track.
Thankfully, those with cravings for F1 will soon get their fix after the confirmation that this year’s season will kick off on July 5 at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.
Note: These are independent illustrations from Andries van Overbeeke and have no affiliation with either Formula 1 or Mercedes