Bottas feels 2022 F1 isn't too different from 2021

December 29, 2021

Formula 1 teams are working tirelessly on new ground effect single-seaters due to arrive in 2022, which are intended to help enhance the spectacle of racing by allowing drivers to follow each other more closely.

Several drivers who have already been able to test the new cars in the simulator have said that they will require a way of driving quite different from the current one, since they are expected to be much more on the limit than the current ones.

However, Valtteri Bottas, who has tested versions of the 2022 car in both the Mercedes and Alfa Romeo simulators, has a feeling they won’t be that different.

Referring to his work in the Mercedes simulator earlier this year, and the tests he was able to do with Alfa Romeo a few weeks ago, the Finn said: “At least at the time, it seemed like the cars were a bit off the mark. normal in terms of downforce.

“But the overall feeling, at least from the simulator, wasn’t that different. We can’t simulate chasing other cars around the track and things like that, but it’s not that much different. Maybe they have a little bit less downforce, but As I said, that will change,” he added.

Bottas ‘s comments contrast with those of McLaren driver Lando Norris, who acknowledged that the new F1 cars reminded him a lot of F2.

“There will definitely be a slightly different style of driving,” Norris said recently when asked by Motorsport.com about the possible differences.

“I don’t think it’s that nice to drive in a way. I think we’ll go a bit more to the limit when we push hard and stuff. A bit like Formula 2, I think, where you see more fighting against other cars and stuff. .

“But I could be wrong because things are constantly changing. What I was driving a month ago is going to be very different to what we are going to drive now, and it will probably be even more different again when we get to the first race.”

Bottas , however, said he was a little sad to see F1 say goodbye to the high-downforce cars that have posted record lap times in recent seasons.

“It’s been fun, especially last year (2020), the cars were even quicker than this year, with more downforce,” he said.

“But hey, if the action on track next year is better and we can follow each other more closely, then it should be even more fun, and I think the cars in the future will be just as fast as they are now. Let’s hope so.” that of Alfa Romeo .