The Mercedes lone rider, undefeated in the constructor’s championship since 2014, will he continue with the new 2022 regulations? A first element of response will fall from this Wednesday during the first tests of the season on the Barcelona circuit. The Norman drivers Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) will also know how their single-seaters fit in the first sketch of the hierarchy 2022 marked by a regulatory revolution. “Everyone started with a clean sheet. Once we have been able to drive this car, we will finally see clearly our competitiveness.” asks Pierre Gasly impatiently before climbing into his AT03. “I feel physically ready, so let’s hit the track and see what we have on our hands this year!” confirms the other Norman Esteban Ocon.
More aggressive cars to overtake more
From the first glance, the aesthetic difference is obvious: the 2022 single-seaters have a more aggressive look. But the regulatory evolution was not intended to improve the image only. Above all, she must correct the flaw of the previous generation by allowing 2022 cars to closely follow an opponent without losing stability. For this, the new regulations provide for the installation of diffusers under the single-seaters to channel the air and reduce the lack of grip in the wake of a car. The new front wings should also generate more consistent downforce. Changes to make it easier to overtake in the race. In recent years, it was often difficult to overtake, except when the trailing driver had a better car or had just changed tyres.
– Alpine Cars
Other changes: 18-inch tyres, new airflow patterns and heavier single-seaters. “Including for us behind the wheel, we will have new sensations and a new challenge” observes Pierre Gasly. This new piloting has only been tested in the simulator. From today it will be the verdict of the track. Awaited by pilots and especially engineers who will see their creations validated… or slapped by the competition! In 2014, during the last regulatory revolution (discontinued naturally aspirated V10 engines for hybrid turbo V6 power units) Mercedes had become the new reference team in Formula 1. While Red Bull, then equipped with the Renault engine, understood that its domination was over.
Alpine and AlphaTauri hope to climb the hierarchy
Respectively fifth and sixth in the 2021 constructor’s championship, the teams of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly did not seek to improve their single-seaters last year. The design offices have switched to the design of the new chassis, necessarily hoping to unearth in the new regulations the technical advantage that will allow them to get closer to the best. An advantage when the two leading teams, Mercedes and Red Bull, fought until the end of the season for the world title. Have they fallen behind in the development of the 2022 single-seaters? This is one of the answers expected from today in Barcelona.
Another significant parameter: 2022 sees theentry into force, for the first time in history, of a budget ceiling set at $175 million per year per team. An obvious obstacle for the richest formations with unlimited budgets to improve their chronometric performances during the season. A logic of spending better will replace spending more. For more equity between the ten teams that make up the world championship.