Alonso had little involvement in 2022 Alpine car

Jamie Woodhouse
Fernando Alonso in his helmet. Turkey October 2021.

Fernando Alonso wears his helmet walking through the paddock in Turkey. October 2021.

Fernando Alonso has said that he has played a minimal part in developing Alpine’s 2022 Formula 1 challenger.

The upcoming Formula 1 season marks one of the largest regulation shifts between seasons in the history of the series, creating an opportunity for midfield teams like Alpine to take a big step forward and offer a more consistent threat at the top of the standings.

As part of that, many would have expected Alonso to play a major role, considering his immense Formula 1 success.

Alonso was here the last time this team reached title prominence, claiming the 2005 and 2006 Drivers’ titles when the outfit were known as Renault.

However, he has not had much to do with the 2022 car, citing the fact that the new regulations were “too strict” at the start of the process, thus creating uncertainties.

Fernando Alonso climbs into his Alpine. Saudi Arabia December 2021
Fernando Alonso grips his Halo as he climbs into his Alpine. Saudi Arabia December 2021

Asked how involved he has been with his future challenger, Alonso replied, as quoted by Motorsport.com: “Not much, to be honest.

“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 and hopefully our implication will be a little bit more.”

The regulatory changes were supposed to come into effect from 2021, but while the budget cap was introduced as planned, the new cars were pushed back to 2022 in response to the financial impact of the pandemic.

Alonso then, who returned in 2021 after a two-season hiatus from Formula 1, used that campaign as a preparatory season ahead of what he hopes will be a marked improvement on his P10 finishing spot in the 2021 standings.

And based on the work that has been taking place so far, Alonso has “high hopes” for 2022.

 

“We are strong in many areas, we just need a competitive package out of the factories at Enstone and Viry,” he said.

“We have been working for several months now and we have high hopes but let’s see in February.”

As for what parts of the Alpine challenger do need to be better, Alonso replied: “More power on the straights and more downforce in the corners, that is what we aim for next year, all drivers.”

 

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