2022 started with one big unknown, or rather two. One linked to the project of single-seaters with ground effect, therefore to the "aerodynamic" battle; the other linked to the battle between motor forces.
The Imola of Alpine… to be forgotten
THEAlpine a Imola for the first time neither of the two riders made it into the top 10, but despite this and the problems at the start of the season, the perspective of the French team is uphill, and it all depends on the goodness of the project and the joint work of the power unit and chassis , both essential elements to aim for a podium or a victory.
Word to Famin
Bruno Famin, executive director of the team, in an interview with Motorsport.com he went back to talking about reliability problems, a big question mark in the pre-season, when we were all already giving the new pink and blue single-seater a goner. However Fermin he said i reliability problems, are not relevant and above all, they are a natural passage dictated by the novelty of this new phase of Formula 1, which is putting not only the engine of the French stable to the test but also that of the other manufacturers.
“I think everyone, from what I see and what I read in the press, [have some reliability issues]”, he also told the press.
“We know this, as, all the manufacturers are sending reliability inquiries to the FIA and it is [knowledge] public within the PU manufacturers, so we see that we are not the only ones having small reliability issues.
“With a four-year lockdown period ahead, – we remind you that the Power Units this season face the “freeze” until 2026 – I think you have no choice but to aim for the best possible engine, since you know that the FIA will not accept any modifications, any improvements in terms of performance, but only for reliability issues."
Engine power
The new engine Renault for the 2022 has been widely recognized as the result of a very meticulous work, which has resulted in a big step forward compared to last season.
“The fact that both the engine and the 2022 car represented a decisive step forward is proof that these choices are working and the guys are understanding it. We know this is the way to go to win and we are pushing everyone in the same direction."
“We made some choices for our power unit in order to have the best car. Perhaps we could have gotten better figures on the dyno, but we would have ended up with a slower car in the end."
“The A522 was designed around the engine and this to obtain the best compromise to create the best car. We will continue to work in this way”.
The odd couple..it works
In Renault there is confidence and not only for the current season but also for the future of the team, which is increasingly solid with the duo Alonso-Ocon. Although there are still no clear hierarchies like for other teams, the two are bringing home an excellent job. A little more unfortunate than Or with è Fernando Alonso, who has already racked up two retirements out of four races. The synergy between the two however, would be one of the keys to the success of the French team, as the Renault CEO Luca DeMeo who defined "close-knit” the duo made up of the two-time world champion Spaniard and the Frenchman, who scored his first victory last year and who aren't afraid to face off against Alonso. "Last year Esteban lived the collaboration with Alonso as a great opportunity. Classic master and student mechanism - Said DeMeo in an interview given to Corriere dello Sport - an ongoing exchange of information. Pilots are heroes who go nowhere without the team. Even when they appeared to collide, the two actually muzzled each other".
