Alonso tested the A522: "We still have a lot of work to do"

After a first day on the track to spend one of the two filming days that the teams are allowed by regulation, Fernando Alonso and Alpine set foot on the asphalt of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this Wednesday, February 23, to officially start 2022.

Due to the fact that no images of that day of filming in Montmeló were released, many of the cameras in the paddock pointed to the transalpine team’s garage first thing in the morning, with the expectation of seeing the new F1 2022 A522 for the first time on the track.

One of the things that most surprised the staff present was the gills of the new Alpine, which were completely closed first thing in the morning, although in the afternoon they were opened to play with the cooling of the renewed Renault engine.

As soon as he got out of the car, Fernando Alonso shared his feelings on this first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona and was really happy to get behind the wheel of the single-seater after so many weeks of preparation.

“It is positive to be back in the car after such a long wait. We have spent a lot of time preparing for this moment both in the factories and in the garage, it has been many hours to get here.

Speaking more specifically about the new ground effect cars and taking part in the A522, the Spaniard acknowledged that he will have to adapt to all these changes: “The cars are very different from last year and now we have to adapt to many new things. We still have a lot of work to do, but that’s why we’re in pre-season testing.”

To finish, Alonso highlighted Alpine ‘s good first day on the track in 2022, adding a total of 127 laps, thus being the second driver with the most filming of the day.

“We put in a good mileage and our reliability has been pretty good on the first day of testing. Mileage and reliability are more important than test performance, so overall we’re pretty happy with the first day in our new car. “, he concluded.

Tomorrow the single-seaters will return to the asphalt to complete the second and penultimate day of pre-season tests in Barcelona, although unlike today Alonso will not be there, since it will be his teammate Esteban Ocon who will drive the car throughout the day.

Gallery: Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the Alpine A522 in F1 testing 2022

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Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

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Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

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Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

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Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images

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Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

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Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

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Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images