For the first time, all ten teams will be given two pre-season testing events to try out the new cars due to the phenomenal changes and new regulations in place for this year.
Not only are the cars seeing the greatest number of changes brought into a single F1 season, but the FIA will be introducing new regulations within the Grand Prix themselves, including communicating with the race director and the instigating of a VAR type system.
Barcelona gave franchises a chance not just to test out their new 2022 creations, but also allowed an inspection of their opposition’s works and spy on the prospective competition.
On an interrupted final day of pre-season testing, it was Mercedes who came out on top with seven-time world Champion Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest time and his new teammate, George Russell not too far behind.
Red Bull followed with Sergio Perez finishing third and reigning World Champion Max Verstappen in fourth while Sebastian Vettel managed a fifth place finish despite stopping in the final minutes of the morning session due to an oil leak and a resulting fire.
With just over a week until the next testing event, and just under three weeks until the first 2022 Grand Prix, let us take a look at the new liveries that were on show in Barcelona.
Not only are the cars seeing the greatest number of changes brought into a single F1 season, but the FIA will be introducing new regulations within the Grand Prix themselves, including communicating with the race director and the instigating of a VAR type system.
5. McLaren
Drivers for 2022: Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo The British-based team’s new MCL36 features a new livery of papaya orange and a new shade of blue. McLaren boasted the only one-two finish of the year when Ricciardo and Norrish took Monza and gave the team their first race win since 2012. The new car has a new programmed ‘fundamentally’ different to previous cars and has had a total laser focus on achieving targets, according to the McLaren Operations Director Piers Thynne. Thynne spoke on McLaren’s website saying they would employ a ‘subtly different’ approach to winning the developmental battle: “We are very keen to be as late as possible and as lean on stock as we can be, to ensure there is opportunity to deliver upgrades in sync for race one.”
6. AlphaTauri
Drivers for 2022: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri’s new AT03 has Red Bull’s gearbox, rear suspension and hydraulics and their sister team’s Powertrains-badged, Honda-developed engines. The 2022 car has been designed using Red Bull’s windtunnel, switching from a 50% scale model to 60% and they were the last team to make the transition. AlphaTauri have also evolved their navy blue and white colour scheme in keeping with the company’s fashion label.
7. Alpine Racing
Drivers for 2022: Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon Alpine’s A522 has chosen a blue and pink livery for 2022 after teaming up with BWT as its title sponsor. Lauren Rossi became Alpine Cars CEO in January 2021 and has completely reworked the team’s management and power unit. Former Peugeo motorsport boss, Bruno Famin has taken control of the Alpine engine facility. Alpine’s power unit package is now a far more aggressive design as Renault have been working on a switch to the split turbo concept, originally pioneered by Mercedes and adopted by Honda in 2017. If Alpine does not progress with their new designs and power, Fernando Alonso may be starting his final season in F1…again.
8. Aston Martin
Drivers for 2022: Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel Aston Martin’s AMR22 has been designed with what the team has described as a ‘refined version of the traditional green livery’. Aston Marin’s owner, Laurence Stroll, announced a five-year-plan in 2021 to make his team World Championship contenders and he will hope that the new 2022 car gives them a chance to continue their climb to the top. The side which finished seventh in the constructor’s championship in 2021, will hope their new Team Principal Mike Krack will also help guide the franchise up the ladder.
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