AlphaTauri’s Wind Tunnel Changes Deliver Unexpectedly Good Data Correlation, Tost Says

Motorsport Insights & Key Developments

AlphaTauri’s Wind Tunnel Correlation Exceeds Expectations in F1 Pre-Season Testing

AlphaTauri team principal, Franz Tost, has expressed considerable satisfaction regarding the initial data gathered from their AT03 car during the opening three-day pre-season test in Barcelona. In a significant strategic shift, AlphaTauri recently transitioned to a more advanced, 60%-scale wind tunnel, aligning them with many of their top-tier rivals in Formula 1. This move was a substantial investment aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of their aerodynamic development process. Following the Barcelona test, Tost revealed that the real-world track data correlated with their internal wind tunnel projections “better than expected,” signaling a highly positive start to their 2022 campaign under the new regulations.

The AT03 represents the first car fully developed by the team since adopting the larger wind tunnel. The critical assessment of how theoretical designs translate into tangible on-track performance is paramount during pre-season testing. Over the three days at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, AlphaTauri accumulated a respectable 308 laps, with drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly meticulously gathering invaluable data. This extensive running provided the engineering team with a vast amount of empirical evidence to cross-reference against their sophisticated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models and wind tunnel results. While the team’s final day of running was regrettably cut short due to damage sustained by Gasly after an impact with the tyre barriers, the preceding days yielded highly encouraging outcomes.

Tost elaborated on the process, explaining, “To find out how close we are really there, we did a lot of measurements the last days with our racks, as you could see, with the sensors mounted on there.” These intricate sensor arrays are crucial for capturing precise aerodynamic flow and pressure data, allowing engineers to understand exactly how the car interacts with the air at speed. “Now the engineers are analysing the data and this is then the data basis for correlation with CFD and the wind tunnel. But the information I got is that we, from the beginning onwards, had quite a positive correlation. Of course, now as we have a lot of data from the racetrack, it’s much easier to build up this.” This early positive correlation suggests that AlphaTauri’s new development tools and methodologies are already yielding accurate predictive power, which is a vital component for effective in-season development and upgrades. A strong correlation means fewer surprises and a more direct path to performance gains throughout the demanding Formula 1 season.

Ed Carpenter Expands IndyCar Oval Schedule for 2022 Season

Veteran IndyCar driver and team owner Ed Carpenter has confirmed an expanded schedule for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s premier oval specialists. Having previously committed to his traditional entry in the iconic Indianapolis 500, Carpenter will now compete in all five oval races on the calendar. This commitment underscores his belief in his team’s capabilities on high-speed circuits and offers a significant boost to the series’ oval contingent.

Carpenter’s 2022 campaign will commence with the fiercely competitive next round at Texas Motor Speedway, a challenging super-speedway known for its high G-forces and strategic demands. Following this, he will return to the driver’s seat for the legendary Indianapolis 500 in May, an event he has famously contended for victory multiple times, securing pole positions and leading laps. The latter part of his season will see him tackle the thrilling double-header at Iowa Speedway in July, a short oval that consistently delivers intense wheel-to-wheel action. He will then conclude his racing duties for the year at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) in August, another fan-favourite short oval. This focused approach allows Carpenter to leverage his extensive experience and expertise on these unique circuits, where his team, Ed Carpenter Racing, often demonstrates formidable pace.

Liam Lawson Shines on Second Day of Formula 2 Pre-Season Testing

The second day of the FIA Formula 2 Championship pre-season testing in Bahrain saw Red Bull Junior Team driver Liam Lawson dominate the timing screens, setting the fastest lap of the test so far. The Carlin driver delivered a standout performance during the cooler evening session, becoming the only competitor to break the highly sought-after 1-minute 42-second barrier. This impressive display underlines Lawson’s potential and marks him as a strong contender for the upcoming season, building anticipation for his sophomore year in the competitive feeder series.

Lawson’s exceptional pace was closely followed by fellow Red Bull junior Jehan Daruvala, who secured the second-fastest time for Prema Racing, showcasing the strength of the Red Bull driver development program. Sauber Academy talent Théo Pourchaire of ART Grand Prix finished the session third quickest, reaffirming his status as a front-runner after a promising rookie season. New Williams Junior driver Logan Sargeant also demonstrated strong performance, positioning himself just behind Pourchaire. With only one day of testing remaining, these sessions are crucial for teams and drivers to fine-tune their new machinery and build confidence ahead of the season opener. The Formula 2 championship is set to kick off with its first two races at the Bahrain International Circuit, coinciding with the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, promising an exhilarating start to the junior category season.

Isack Hadjar Tops Formula 3 Testing on Penultimate Day

In the FIA Formula 3 Championship, another Red Bull junior driver, Isack Hadjar, made his mark by setting the fastest time during the second day of pre-season testing. Hadjar, who is slated to make his debut in the highly competitive F3 series with Hitech Grand Prix this season, delivered a blistering lap time of 1 minute 47.516 seconds. This impressive effort placed him just under a tenth of a second quicker than Victor Martins from ART Grand Prix, highlighting the tight margins and intense competition within the series.

Hadjar’s lap not only secured him the top spot for the day but also stood as the fastest time recorded by any of the 30 participating drivers across the first two days of testing. His performance serves as a clear statement of intent for his rookie season, indicating that he is quickly adapting to the demands of Formula 3 machinery and the highly pressurized environment of a Red Bull-backed driver. These testing sessions are vital for new drivers to acclimate to their teams and cars, and Hadjar’s early pace suggests he will be one to watch as the F3 championship prepares to commence its season alongside Formula 2 and Formula 1.

Fernando Alonso Launches A14 Management for Young Drivers

Two-time Formula 1 world champion and current Alpine F1 driver Fernando Alonso has ventured into a new chapter of his illustrious career, launching his own driver management company named A14 Management. The initiative sees Alonso partnering with former karting rival Albert Resclosa and manager Alberto Fernandez, combining their diverse expertise to nurture the next generation of motorsport talent. This move reflects a growing trend among experienced drivers to invest their knowledge and resources back into the sport, guiding aspiring racers through the often-complex pathways to professional motorsport.

Alonso articulated the mission of A14 Management, stating that the company aims to provide comprehensive support to a “small group” of promising young drivers as they navigate the ranks of various motorsport categories. The vision is to offer mentorship, strategic career planning, and invaluable insights drawn from Alonso’s own extensive experience at the pinnacle of racing. The challenges faced by young drivers, from securing funding and sponsorships to making critical career choices, are immense. A14 Management intends to alleviate some of these burdens, allowing their clients to focus more purely on their on-track performance and development. The initial clients announced by the group underscore their focus on burgeoning talent across different stages of the motorsport ladder. These include Formula 2 driver Clement Novalak, who brings experience from the F1 feeder series, and Bulgarian kart racer Nikola Tsolov, representing a raw talent identified at the foundational level of racing. This hands-on approach from a driver of Alonso’s caliber is expected to be a significant asset for the careers of these young athletes.

Motorsport Voices: Social Media Highlights

A selection of notable posts and interactions from the world of Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms:

Yeah, but I was an unusually old git for an F1 Driver. #f1

— Damon Hill (@HillF1) March 3, 2022

By my calculations, by the time Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract expires (assuming Jan 1 2029), he would have been a contracted #F1 race driver for 5,114 days, or 44.80% of his lifespan on Earth.

— Will Wood (@RaceFansWill) March 3, 2022

Slow down @LiamLawson30

— Richard Verschoor (@R_Verschoor1) March 3, 2022

It’s full steam ahead for @arthur_leclerc7 in 2022 👊#F3 pic.twitter.com/10if0zH4hY

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) March 3, 2022

These cars look 🔥 Proud to be sporting the Williams colours 🔵 #WeAreWilliams https://t.co/RMp03BnsCm

— Zak O’Sullivan (@ZakOSullivan) March 3, 2022

• Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Essential Motorsport Links & Reads

A curated selection of motor racing links of interest from across the globe:

McLaren Racing Stands with UNICEF to Support the Ukraine Emergency Appeal (McLaren)

“McLaren Racing is actively contributing to UNICEF’s emergency appeal and is rallying its global community of McLaren colleagues, friends, and fans to amplify awareness of UNICEF’s critical work and their specific Ukraine emergency appeal. For those wishing to show their support and donate, please visit: www.unicef.org.uk/donate/mclaren”

François-Xavier (FX) Demaison: My Pre-Season Journal (Williams)

“Assessing our performance definitively remains challenging as we lack precise data on other teams’ fuel loads or engine modes. However, the feedback from both drivers has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating their satisfaction with the car. Their insights suggest the car allows them to push hard, follow closely, and brake late – promising signs for the upcoming season.”

Enzo Fittipaldi ‘Right on the Pace’ on Day 1 of Testing After Injury Return (Formula 2)

“It was a truly fantastic day. This morning marked my first laps back on track since Jeddah, following a long break, and I felt immediately comfortable and competitive. We were right on the pace from the outset, and I am extremely pleased that my initial five or six laps were already demonstrating strong competitiveness.”

Trailblazing Racer Lella Lombardi Remembered, 30 Years On From Her Death (Formula 1)

“Lella Lombardi attempted her Grand Prix debut in the British GP at Brands Hatch, piloting a Brabham BT42 rented from Bernie Ecclestone. Initially, her times were very close to her teammate John Watson’s in a similar car, but a crucial driveshaft failure ultimately prevented her from qualifying, missing out by a mere nine-tenths of a second.”

UK’s Most Loved Sports Teams and People (Sports Direct)

Lewis Hamilton has been recognized as the third most-loved sports personality globally, based on a comprehensive analysis of social media searches and online sentiment, placing him behind only LeBron James and Simone Biles.

F2’s Chasing The Dream: Zhou Guanyu’s F1 Story (Formula 1 via YouTube)

“Get acquainted with Zhou Guanyu, the exciting 2022 Alfa Romeo driver and a distinguished graduate of Formula 2. This exclusive preview offers a glimpse into Formula 2’s latest season of ‘Chasing The Dream,’ detailing his journey to Formula 1.”

We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.

Fan Focus: Max Verstappen’s Mega Deal with Red Bull

With Max Verstappen signing a monumental six-year contract extension, committing his future to Red Bull Racing, @milesy-jam shares insightful thoughts on the significant implications of this long-term deal:

A massive show of confidence in Red Bull from Max. These new regulations could bring them back into the pack a bit if they don’t get it right. Also you would have to think there would be uncertainties in RB making their own engine for the first time.

A huge call from both sides to commit to such a huge deal when their success together is still so young, and history shows that even the best team-driver relationships don’t last forever.

Lewis only stayed another 4 years at McLaren after his first title. Senna was another 5 years after ’88 with McLaren and won another two championships. Seb won another 3 WDC in 4 years after 2010 with Red Bull yet he left as soon as the success dried up.

If I was to predict now, I think that the Red Bull-Verstappen relationship could be one of the most successful of all time or could explode in a hot mess very quickly.

@milesy-jam

The decision by Max Verstappen to extend his contract with Red Bull until at least 2028 is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about moves in recent Formula 1 history. As @milesy-jam aptly points out, this agreement represents an extraordinary leap of faith from both parties. For Verstappen, it’s a profound commitment to a team that, while securing his maiden world championship, is also embarking on a challenging new era. The overhauled technical regulations for 2022 present a significant reset, potentially shuffling the pecking order and threatening the dominance of established top teams. Entrusting a substantial portion of his prime racing years to Red Bull under such uncertain conditions speaks volumes about his belief in their engineering prowess and future vision.

Moreover, the long-term deal coincides with Red Bull’s ambitious Red Bull Powertrains project, wherein the team will effectively take over the manufacturing and development of their own power units following Honda’s official departure from F1. This is a colossal undertaking for any team, let alone one aiming for championship success. The inherent uncertainties surrounding a new engine project – from its reliability to its competitive performance – add another layer of risk to Verstappen’s decision. Historically, engine transitions have proven to be significant hurdles for many teams.

The comparison to past legendary driver-team pairings further highlights the unique nature of this deal. Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at McLaren post-championship, Ayrton Senna’s extended success with McLaren, and Sebastian Vettel’s departure from Red Bull once their winning streak waned, all illustrate how even the most potent partnerships have finite lifespans influenced by performance fluctuations and evolving ambitions. Verstappen’s contract goes beyond these precedents in its sheer duration, betting on a sustained period of mutual success and stability. This long-term alignment could indeed forge one of the most dominant and enduring legacies in F1, or, as @milesy-jam suggests, the high stakes could lead to a dramatic unraveling if the team fails to consistently deliver a championship-contending package. The next few years will be crucial in determining the narrative of this bold commitment.

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On This Day in Motorsport History

• On this day in 1972, the legendary Denny Hulme secured a memorable victory at the South African Grand Prix. This triumph marked McLaren’s first win in three years, injecting vital momentum into the burgeoning team and further cementing Hulme’s reputation as a formidable competitor in Formula 1.