Formula 1
The F1 philosophy shift that has helped Alfa Romeo push on
Alfa Romeo's performance has been one of the surprises of the 2022 Formula 1 season, with the squad emerging as contender for best-of-the-rest behind Red Bull and Ferrari.
Matt Somerfield Giorgio Piola
Edited: May 15, 2022, 7:07 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
Valtteri Bottas has shone after his switch to Mercedes and it was not lost on fans how the Finn was able to put pressure on his old team at last weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Finn's charge was helped by a fairly significant upgrade at Alfa Romeo's disposal for Imola, with a notable change in its sidepod philosophy evident as a result.
The changes on the C42 start at the front of the floor though, with the leading edge distribution of the floor and the strakes altered to improve not only how the airflow migrates under the car but also how it travels around the upper surface and around the sidepod.
Comparing the new sidepod solution with the old one, it's obvious that the bodywork is now drawn down to meet with the floor, which will clearly have an impact on how the airflow not only travels around but also over the sidepod.
Read Also:
Alfa Romeo C42 floor tunnel detail
Fortuitously, Alfa Romeo's livery helps with this distinction, as the red section at the rear of the sidepod illustrates the differences between the two configurations without need for any additional accompaniment.
It's also worth noting how the undercut is retained for as long as possible before the floor and sidepod merge, granting room for the airflow as it makes its journey along the car's flank.
Alfa Romeo C42 sidepod comparison
As can be seen from the top down overviews (inset) the new bodywork that merges with the floor doesn't align completely with the upper surface of the sidepod to create the full width downwash ramps we've seen elsewhere.
Read Also:
- Alfa Romeo: Rival teams "played games" with FIA to raise F1 weight limit
- The new floor stay that hints at Alpine's weight-saving push
- Ferrari bringing low-downforce F1 solution to Miami GP
However, it does likely improve the geometry of the floor if we consider how this corresponds when viewed from the underside.
Some modifications were also made to the rear brake duct fence, with the geometry of the forward section changed in order to open up the channel for which the inlet resides behind (red arrow).
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Schumacher: New Sainz Ferrari F1 deal was ‘obvious step’
Next article Magnussen no longer has weight of F1 title dream on his shoulders
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Somerfield
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
Gallery: How F1 tech evolved during the 2024 season
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
How McLaren’s rear wing push changed the game in F1
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
Formula 1
Formula 1
How 2026 F1 rules will help avoid identikit designs
More from
Alfa Romeo
What F1 history tells us about three-way title deciders
Formula 1
Formula 1
Abu Dhabi GP
What F1 history tells us about three-way title deciders
F1 cars from 1950 to 2025: Alfa Romeo 158 vs McLaren MCL39
Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 cars from 1950 to 2025: Alfa Romeo 158 vs McLaren MCL39
F1 reserve drivers: All the back-up racers for 2025
Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 reserve drivers: All the back-up racers for 2025
Latest news
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 min
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Carlos Ezpeleta: Qatar GP “noise” left MotoGP unnecessarily exposed
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
41 min
Carlos Ezpeleta: Qatar GP “noise” left MotoGP unnecessarily exposed
Oscar Piastri splits from Mark Webber management
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Oscar Piastri splits from Mark Webber management
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
2 h
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe