Ahead of their launch in less than two weeks, Alfa Romeo have sent their 2022 car out on the circuit for the first time.
In a camouflaged livery to disguise aerodynamic features on the car, the new machine was rolled out onto the Ferrari test track at Fiorano yesterday for its first unofficial “shakedown.”
This is now the third 2022 car to be seen out on track, with Aston Martin and Williams both performing private tests in Silverstone in recent days for their respective driver line-ups to get a feel for the new challengers.
Alfa Romeo’s partnership with Ferrari will continue this year, and the Scuderia have allowed them to head over to their own test track to gather crucial data and information from the car as teams look to nail the new technical regulations in 2022.
For the Swiss team, in addition to the drastically changed regulations, they’ll be running an all-new driver line-up this upcoming season.
The retirement of Kimi Raikkonen and the departure of Antonio Giovinazzi, who is now racing in Formula E with Dragon Penske, paved the way for Valtteri Bottas to join, after five seasons with the eight-time constructors’ champions in which he claimed 10 race wins and helped them to five of their record eighth straight titles.
Also drafted in is rookie Guanyu Zhou, whose four victories in Formula 2 last year helped him to a third-placed Drivers’ Championship finish.
Bottas will be playing somewhat of a mentorship role for the Chinese racer this year, and he has previously said that he is looking forward to leading the team.
Alfa Romeo are to officially reveal their 2022 car on 27 February, two days after the conclusion of the shakedown in Barcelona.