Issue 1268
October 9, 2024
 

Follow Autoextremist

 

Sunday
Feb132022

FEBRUARY 16, 2022

(MotoGP)
2022 MotoGP™ pre-season testing has drawn to a close as Pol Espargaro (No. 44 Repsol Honda Team) topped the times at the Mandalika Test, after the Spaniard set a 1:31:060 on Day 3 in Indonesia. Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (No. 20 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Luca Marini (No. 10 Mooney VR46 Racing Team) completed the top three as the riders and teams got plenty of valuable track time in their pockets at the brand-new, spectacular Pertamina Mandalika Circuit. Twenty-one riders, down to Fabio Di Giannantonio (No. 49 Gresini Racing MotoGP™ Ducati), are split by just 0.8s heading to the first race of the season in Qatar. (Thank you to MotoGP Media)
(MotoGP)
Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (No. 20 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was second quick in Indonesia.
(MotoGP)
Luca Marini (No. 10 Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was a surprising third quick at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit.

(Williams photos)
Williams Engineering completed a shakedown run of its 2022 FW44 F1 machine at Silverstone in wet conditions on Tuesday, with Nicholas Latifi   initially at the wheel. The FW44 looks significantly different than the car unveiled during the previous digital launch, with the front end, the sidepods and the engine cover area similar to that spotted on the 2022 McLaren F1 car, which was unveiled last week. (Thank you to motorsport.com)
(AlphaTauri)
AlphaTauri has unveiled its 2022 Formula 1 car, the AT03. The images of the AT03 show plenty of detail compared to sister team Red Bull’s offering, with the sidepods an area of particular interest due to a severe undercut and sculpting to the rear of the car. The nose also extends down to the main element at the front, unlike the Aston Martin and McLaren solutions seen so far, and technical director Jody Egginton says it shows there are multiple ways to deal with the new regulations. The car is officially powered by Red Bull Powertrains, having taken over the IP and maintenance of the Honda power unit following the Japanese manufacturer’s withdrawal from F1 at the end of last season. Honda will still build the power units and provide support during a transition year this year, as the power units will be frozen from 2022 onwards, but AlphaTauri will use more up-to-date components from Red Bull. (Thank you to Racer)
(Formula 1)
This is Ferrari's new F1 car for the 2022 season... the F1-75. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Even though they're better than what they were, I don't like the look of any of the current F1 cars. They're flat-out ugly. The current Indy cars are notably better looking, but still not great. -PMD
(Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team)
And the new entry from Mercedes-Benz for 2022: The Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance.

(Cadillac Design images)
With Cadillac in the midst of defending its 2021 IMSA Manufacturer Championship, Cadillac Racing has previously announced that it will compete in IMSA’s new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) category in 2023. Cadillac Design is in the process of shaping the forthcoming GTP race car and the future of Cadillac Racing. The Cadillac GTP race car will be co-developed by Cadillac Racing, Cadillac Design and race manufacturer Dallara. The prototype will feature a new Cadillac engine package in conjunction with the GTP common hybrid system. “While the new race car will take into account IMSA and ACO regulations, Cadillac’s brand characteristics will be instantly recognizable, many of which are seen on our V-Series vehicles today,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “It will artistically combine form and function to influence the development of the forthcoming race car. Elements of Cadillac’s brand DNA, such as vertical lighting and floating blades, will be present throughout.” With Cadillac competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Automobile Club de l’Ouest Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) category in 2023 with a fourth-generation Cadillac V-Series prototype, it will mark the brand’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after 21 years. The Cadillac Project GTP race car will be unveiled this summer, and debut on the track for the first time at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2023. Watch the video here. 

(Oracle Red Bull Racing images)
Oracle Red Bull Racing has unveiled its 2022 RB18 F1 car. The team just signed a 5-year presenting sponsorship deal with Oracle to the tune of $500 million, according to insider estimates.

(Aston Martin The Americas)
The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team today unveiled its 2022 FIA Formula One® World Championship contender  - the AMR22 - on Thursday (2/10). The British manufacturer is celebrating the centenary of its maiden Grand Prix at the 1922 French Grand Prix. The AMR22, to be raced by four-time F1® World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll, carries a new 2022 Aston Martin Racing Green livery celebrating Aston Martin’s traditional racing colors. 

(McLaren Racing)
McLaren Racing unveiled its new MCL36 to a live global audience on Friday (Feb. 11) ahead of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. To be piloted by Lando Norris, 22, from the UK, and Daniel Ricciardo, 32, from Australia, the MCL36 is built to the new era of Formula 1 regulations, which aim to provide closer racing and more on-track action for fans. Designed under the leadership of Technical Director James Key and produced by the team in Woking, led by Operations Director Piers Thynne, the MCL36 features several striking and dramatic changes compared to the MCL35M. The return of ground-effect to Formula 1 changes the fundamental philosophy of the car and is part of new regulations aimed at improving racing by reducing the amount of disrupted airflow generated by the cars. The MCL36 is powered by the Mercedes-AMG F1 M13 E Performance, which was integrated into the McLaren chassis and gearbox with support from Mercedes HPP in Brixworth, UK. The colors first carried by the team in the 1960s with team founder Bruce McLaren are retained for the 2022 season, with fan favorite Papaya continuing to lead the livery. Having debuted on the MCL35M’s Monaco livery in 2021, the bold Fluro Papaya is now featured on the MCL36 for the 2022 season, accented by New Blue.

(McLaren Racing)
McLaren also presented its 2022 Arrow McLaren SP INDYCAR team at the same event. The team will field Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet) and Felix Rosenqvist (No.7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet) in the series. Arrow McLaren SP will start their 2022 NTT INDYCAR Series campaign at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida, on February 27.

« FEBRUARY 23, 2022 | Main | FEBRUARY 9, 2022 »