Gasly heading into 2022 with ‘an open mind’

Michelle Foster
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly poses for the camera. February 2022.

AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly poses for the camera at the launch of the AT03. February 2022.

Pierre Gasly has every confidence his AlphaTauri team have built him the “best car possible” as F1 enters a new era.

AlphaTauri launched their 2022 season on Monday but instead of a car, the team opted to release renderings of their design.

That is becoming a common occurrence in this year’s launch season as the teams want their secrets kept hidden until the very last minute – the first day of the pre-season shakedown on February 23.

The pictures gave some idea of AlphaTauri’s interpretation of the new technical regulations, the car featuring an aggressive undercut sidepod solution and square inlets.

Formula 1 hope the all-new cars, designed around ground-effect aerodynamics, will create better racing and bunch up the field.

That is the hope, but what will actually happens nobody knows.

Gasly says the teams will all have to be “ready for any eventuality”.

“I think we will have to tackle it with an open mind, being ready for any eventuality,” he told the team’s website.

“It’s a fresh start for all the teams, starting pretty much from zero as we are really looking at a clean-sheet-of-paper scenario.

“It will be a big challenge for the teams to work out how to build the best car possible to comply with the new regulations.

“I hope it works really well for us. I have no doubts about our team’s abilities and as of now, they are quite pleased with the work they have done.

“Like everyone, they have been working on it for many months now, but it’s difficult to have an idea of what we can expect until the car goes out on track in Barcelona for the first time.

“Then we will get an idea of how the car behaves and how we look compared to the others. I’m sure this season will be full of surprises.”

The cars are not the only new thing, Formula 1 moving to 18-inch wheels.

And that in itself poses a whole different challenge for the drivers, not only because it means the cars will be heavier but visibility over the bigger tyres could be a problem.

“Aesthetically, it’s a big change,” the Frenchman said. “It also makes the cars heavier and affects the way they drive, and I think it adds yet another element and challenge on top of all the other changes to the cars.

 

“They also slightly reduce visibility from the cockpit, especially with those new wheel covers. This, along with all the other changes to the car, means there will be a lot of work to do in free practice at every race weekend.”

Last season, Gasly was P9 in the Drivers’ Championship, finishing on the podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

 

PlanetF1 Verdict

 

Gasly heading into new era with 'an open mind'

Pierre Gasly is going into the 2022 season with an open mind after a great 2021 season.