F1 teams are still working on the designs of cars built according to next year’s all-new regulations, but they already have models built into their simulators.
McLaren ace Lando Norris recently sparked some intrigue when he suggested that the 2022 version he originally drove was “not as nice to drive” as current machines.
Ferrari driver Sainz has driven a lot in the 2022 car on his team’s Maranello simulator, and he says Norris’ perception of the feeling wasn’t unique over the next year.
When asked by Motorsport.com if he shares Norris’ views on the 2022 car, he said, “This is the million dollar question that is in the paddock.
“We know how our car feels, and between the drivers we ask ourselves, ‘How does yours feel?’
“I think there is a tendency in the paddock and with the drivers that we are all going in the same direction: ‘Wow, this is completely different and quite a long way from where we are now and how the car feels now. ”
The 2022 cars take a lot of the current reliance on the downforce created by the aerodynamic flow over the car, relying a lot more on the ground effect instead.
This means that the driving behavior of the car, especially when cornering, feels completely different in the cockpit.
Sainz added, “It’s going to be a big change and maybe we’re starting to accept together that this will be quite a change.
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari with 2022 18-inch Pirelli Zero
Photo by: Pirelli
“And the rumor about the paddock really goes in this direction: without actually having to say anything [about the car]because I can’t talk about it. “
Sainz says he’s been working on the 2022 simulation models since the beginning of this year and it is clear that Ferrari is throwing everything into the project.
“I’ve been driving it since January or February and have been on the car a couple of times this year,” he explained. “The last session was last week.
“Even after every Pirelli test that we did with the tires this year, we tried to check the tire model and put it on the car.
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“There is a lot of work going on on this 2022 project, the whole factory is working as well as it can. It’s running at full speed and we see it as a good opportunity at Ferrari.
“Are we going to win or not? This is another question. But the will and the hours and the intention are certainly not lacking.
“And of course not from the driver’s side either, because I’ve been up in the car a few times in the simulation.”
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