Fernando Alonso, two-time world champion, claims that he is not an active participant in the development of Alpine’s 2022 Formula 1 car.
Next year, in 2022, a major overhaul of Formula 1 regulations will enact. These regulations were initially planned for 2021, which were delayed because of the COVID-19.
New cars abiding the new regulations will soon be launched next year. The development of these cars were banned during 2020, to cap the team expenses. The ban also helped the teams to focus on a single project rather than two at the same time.
Alonso returned to Formula 1 this season, after he had announced retirement in 2018. Because he joined the team this season, it means that he was unable to participate much in the development of the new car.
The Spaniard responded to the question regarding his involvement in the development of 2022 car. He said: “Not much, to be honest.
“If I’m honest, then the development has been followed by all the designers, the simulations, the new regulations were too strict at the beginning. So there were a lot of clarification as to what we could do. And not do with FIA and things like that.
“It is a strange new project for everybody, I feel. Now from December and January we will start the work in the simulator. Hopefully our implication will be a little bit more.”
Alonso managed to finish the season in top 10 on his return. He claims that he has “high hopes” for next year Alpine.
“More power on the straights and more downforce in the corners. That is what we aim for next year, all drivers,” he expressed his expectations of 2022 car.
“We are strong in many areas we just need a competitive package out of the factories at Enstone and Viry. We have been working for several months now and we have high hopes but let’s see in February.”
Alonso practice in Simulator
Alonso with his team-mate Esteban Ocon will start start their experience in the simulator. The Frenchman expect the winters to be his busiest.
“[This week] the model will be ready in the simulator and that is when we are going to really push hard basically into there,” Ocon said.
“Starting to have feedback from the 18-inch tyre that we are going to run in Abu Dhabi and from there on it’s going to be a very busy winter for sure, busier than any other winters have been probably. “
