The Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team will run in the Italian automaker's colours only for this season as it begins a three-year transition to its new Audi identity.
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As the team progressively begins to increase its resources and manpower levels, the new red and carbon livery seen on the new C43 thus signals a final outing for the Alfa name. The impact of that expansion might become more apparent in 2024 because the most recent car was developed similarly to its predecessor on a limited budget and represents a logical advancement from the Swiss company’s initial attempt under the current rules, which it now freely admits it didn’t quite succeed in. Despite being more than 100 points behind McLaren in fifth position, the C42 was still capable of finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship despite its flaws.
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The opportunity exists to take a decent step if the team has successfully solved its problems and discovered more consistent performance and, most importantly, better reliability. When questioned by Motorsport.com if consistency was important, Valtteri Bottas responded, “I feel that this vehicle is at least from the data in the simulator a bit more of an all-rounder, than only quick on the slow speed tracks.” “Last year, high speed, namely high-speed load and balance, was one major restriction. And that ought to be much better, in principle. Let’s see, then.” Before the official test in Bahrain the next week, Bottas and the rest of the team will get their first taste of how the vehicle performs on Friday when it finishes a filming day in Barcelona. The technical director for Alfa Romeo, Jan Monchaux, stated, “We have big expectations.”
Monchaux and his colleagues have concentrated most of their efforts on the rear of the car, along with the floor modifications meant to alleviate the porpoising with which all teams have had to contend. Last year, judgements about cooling and other packaging components weren’t very profitable. In terms of improving the architecture of the back and allowing for additional development, the back end is unquestionably where we put the most effort and attention. Particularly on the bodywork side, which last year was not possible since we had a very aggressive cooler arrangement Additionally, we are unable to switch coolers while the season is still in effect. We thus had to put in a lot of work on the back end to handle various cooler arrangements, which required different bodywork, which was a step ahead for us.
All teams must adjust to the new Pirelli tyres, which were created with a stronger front, which is another change for this season. Monchaux claims that the post-season test conducted last year did not identify them as a significant problem, so it would be fascinating to watch how they act on the final 2023 cars. The Bahrain test will offer more proof of the tyres’ influence and show whether or not the team has achieved its goals. Bottas is curious to learn more. The Finn describes the Bahrain session as “not much.” “With one car, it will take three days, or 1.5 days each driver. Everyone wishes they could drive more. But the laws remain the laws. At that point, the computers and all the simulation software become even more valuable. But at least everyone experiences it the same way. I believe that being ready is feasible. However, you must possess a vehicle that functions throughout testing. Therefore, it is crucial for us to do far better winter testing than we did the previous year.
