The first free practice day of the 2022 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix raised spirits in the Alpine garage, as Fernando Alonso surprised everyone with a fifth and fourth position to become ‘the best of the rest’, and only by behind the unbeatable Ferrari and Red Bull.
The Asturian showed great pace from the start, both on the medium and soft tyres, even getting ahead of his compatriot, Carlos Sainz, in the second afternoon test session, although this is a bit misleading, since the man from Madrid was unable to complete a lap with the red compound due to going off the track and a yellow flag caused by Sergio Pérez right at the end.
Just after getting out of the car with a smile and stating that with a bit of luck he could qualify for the podium, Fernando Alonso explained the sensations he had behind the wheel of the initially competitive A522 in Azerbaijan.
“It’s always complicated here in Baku with the wind conditions and how fast the circuit is,” said the man from Oviedo. “But I think today we had a normal Friday, and we were able to test some of our novelties.”
The Enstone team released two modifications to the French car, one in its pontoons with a squarer entrance and in the style of Red Bull, and in its rear wing, something that seems to have worked.
“We still have to optimize some things in the car setup for tomorrow’s qualifying,” said the Spaniard. “However, we look fast today, so we’ll be working through the night to make sure we keep up this pace.”
“We seem fast on the straights, and sometimes it’s a compromise because of the set-up with this type of circuit, but we’ll see how it goes tomorrow,” said the two-time world champion with the French team.
In Alpine they have had a great day, as Alonso’s statements have shown, and the Enstone team’s sports director, Alan Permane , reaffirmed the sensations: “We are happy with our work today. We have brought some improvements to Baku and everything It seems to work very well.”
“The drivers are reasonably happy with the cars and of course there are still improvements to be made,” said the French team member. “The two sessions have developed as planned, without problems.”
“We have done our job with the tires, and we have understood well how the car works, both with a lot and with little fuel,” assured the sports director of the team that is sixth in the constructors’ championship with 40 points.
“The wind plays an important role, it can be very gusty and can surprise the drivers, as we have seen a few times, especially in the last corners, which are very tricky with the tailwind. It has been a good day, and we are looking forward to it.” that the classification arrives tomorrow”, he sentenced.
