Ground-effect cars likely to return to F1 by the 2017 season

Following a meeting of team technical bosses yesterday, it has been agreed that returning to ground-effect cars would be the best option to ensure overtaking is maximised whilst allowing for greater speeds.

A mandate to increase performance, achieving laps “five to six seconds” quicker, was set by the F1 Strategy Group earlier this year, which was hopefully leading to a future overhaul of the sport in 2017.

As part of the changes, all of the team bosses also want an increase in natural overtaking. To do this, it's likely that the ground-effect route will be followed; therefore putting less reliance on the front-wing to create downforce.

By moving to a simpler front-wing that combines with a floor to create substantial amounts of downforce, 'dirty air' – the turbulent air coming off a car ahead – no longer becomes a major problem.

This is a technology used during the late 1970's and early 80's in the sport; but was outlawed as cars became too quick and were deemed dangerous for safety reasons.

To avoid a similar scenario happening again; a standard floor could be used to avoid teams developing the area. This is an idea put forward by Force India. However, it's unclear if it has much support amongst the larger teams on the grid at this present time.

It is to be expected that the cars will likely be wider, whilst McLaren's Eric Boullier confirmed that a wider and lower rear-wing will also be included in the regulations, to help balance the car due to the loss of downforce created by the less complicated front-wings.

Technical bosses are due to meet again to begin finalising plans for 2017 before draft rules will need to be written and agreed before March 2016.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa