2022 F1 launch and testing topic

[KNAPPO]

Geez, Newey didn't disappoint!

[StanDaam]

It's great to see the design of the cars creating such interest this year.
I've never been more into side pods... eva!!

[w00dsy]

Looks like porpoising is an issue with this year's cars. It's happening in fast corners too.

[Scottie]

Imagine if they still had the 13" wheels and what now seem like balloon tires!

Tire pressures will be maxed out again this season.

[KNAPPO]

Going to be interesting to see how teams iron out this issue.

[pixelboy]

The Race have had excellent coverage of probably the most interesting pre-season since 2009...

[Big Kev]

Leclerc on following other cars: "From 3 seconds to 1s behind the car in front, you actually can follow closer, then from 1s to 5 tenths it's similar to the feeling I had last year, and then from 5 tenths to extremely close, this is much better than last year."

[Big Kev]

2022 F1 rules are really going to shake up the grid.....

1. Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m19.138s, C5, 94 laps
2. Russell (Mercedes) 1m19.233s, C5, 66 laps
3. Perez (Red Bull) 1m19.556s, C4, 74 laps
4. Verstappen (Red Bull) 1m19.756s, C3, 59 laps

[w00dsy]

Interesting that Merc had to go to the softest compound to do the time. Ferrari and McLaren have spent most of the week on C2 and C3. Max has now pulled some genuine speed out too.

[Dr. Pain]

Love the new Alfa paint! But being an Alfa, looks pretty but might be parked a lot.

[Duke]

Great livery but pity they are long way off being competitive.

[KNAPPO]

Gonna look sexy at the back

[KNAPPO]

[Scottie]

I don't know how they're calling the red bit at the top of that massive vorticy as upward flowing... ?? With the vortex flowing clockwise, and the sidepod going down, wouldn't it just be downwashing towards the diffuser?

Either way, nice to see 4 potential contenders for wins... potentially.

[KNAPPO]

[pixelboy]

Good coverage here..

https://the-race.com/f1-testing-2022-bahrain-day-1/

[KNAPPO]

[KNAPPO]

[Big Kev]

McLaren Racing can confirm that after feeling unwell from Wednesday onwards in Bahrain, Daniel Ricciardo has now returned a positive PCR test for covid-19.

He's got a bit of a race on to be clear for the first GP.....

[durbster]

Not good news for a driver looking to regain his form this season.

[Big Kev]

That's testing over.

Sky's pundits reckon the pecking order is
Red Bull
Ferrari
Mercedes
McLaren
Aston Martin
Alpine
Alpha Tauri
Alfa Romeo
Haas
Williams

[norbs]

[w00dsy]

I may be reading too much into it but I wouldn't be surprised if that's also a bit of a dig at Otmar for leaving to go to run Alpine and saying there's only enough room at Aston Martin for 1 pope.