Formula 1

F1 News: Romain Grosjean’s Crash Blamed For Huge 2022 Car Change By Fernando Alonso

F1 driver Fernando Alonso has blamed Romain Grosjean’s crash in Bahrain in 2020 for the heavier cars in 2022.

The cars of 2022 have bloated by60kg after a huge change in regulations this year. This included not only a change in bodywork, but a change in aerodynamics, too, which has proven to be a huge challenge for teams across the grid.

It’s no surprise that the cars look visually slower this year compared to previous, with Alonso describing them as “slow-motion”. Despite this, the Alpine racing driver has praised the changes made following the fiery crash that pushed Grosjean to retire from Formula 1.

“The cars are 60 kilograms heavier, so like last year, instead of putting 100 kilograms for the race you put 160 kilograms so everything will feel like slow motion, maybe on TV as well,” he told the press.

“We did an exhibition with the R25 in Abu Dhabi three years ago and that car is 200 kilograms lighter. On TV it felt very reactive and very sharp. I guess the heavier the cars are, the less feeling on TV of the speed you get.

“That’s a consequence of these cars but at the same time, they are very safe. The cockpit area has been reinforced a lot after the Grosjean accident here in Bahrain.”

Alonso also discussed the fuel advances made this year with it now being 10% ethanol. This has obviously been another challenge for the teams to overcome as they struggle to extract power out of their power units.

“The engines are a little more sustainable with the fuel, ” Alonso continued. “It is the same for everybody and I think it’s just a matter of getting used to it.

“Maybe after eight or nine months, you won’t remember the last generation of cars.”

Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: [email protected]

Related Articles

Back to top button