AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost says he doubts whether Formula 1's new-spec cars will be able to follow each other more closely in high-speed corners.
Grand Prix racing's new technical regulations were devised with the aim of improving the show on the track by allowing drivers to run in the wake of another car while losing less downforce, thus improving overtaking opportunities.
To fulfil that objective, Formula 1 is relying on ground effect aerodynamics, where most of a car's downforce is generated by its underbody rather than by its wings, therefore reducing the amount of dirty air rushing off a rear wing and swirling in its wake.
Although Tost believes the new cars' designs might lead to closer racing in medium-speed turns, he believes drivers will still struggle to run close to a preceding car in high-speed corners.
©AlphaTauri
"I think in the slow-speed and the mid-speed corners, the cars will be closer together," Tost commented after the launch on Monday of AlphaTauri's new 2022 car.
"I have some doubts for the high-speed ones because, with these wide cars and the big tyres, there’s always some dirty air behind them. Therefore, I’m not sure that it will be so easy to follow.
"Let’s wait and see after the first test."
While Formula 1 new regulations will hopefully tighten the field, the scope of this year's changes mean that there's a chance for any given team to get its new concept very right or very wrong.
AlphaTauri technical director Jody Egginton, who oversaw the development of the Faenza-based squad's all-new AT03, says there's no way of knowing just how much of an advantage or detriment any team will have, or how close the cars will be able to run relative to each other, until the first few races of 2022.
©AlphaTauri
"Although everything is quite restricted by the regulations, it’s possible that one team has found a very special solution and will therefore have a performance advantage," said the British engineer.
"It’s not easy to estimate where the teams will be, because everything is new, from the mechanical to the aerodynamic side, but I personally hope that the cars will be closer together.
"Realistically, we will only have an idea of how well Scuderia AlphaTauri will perform after the first tests, and we’ll have to wait until after the first two or three races to have a better picture.
"I am quite sure there is plenty of scope for teams to come up with innovative aero solutions. But, at the same time, I expect that the hidden details of aero development will be a significant contributor to what teams are able to achieve from the aero regulations," he added.
"I’m pretty confident people are going to turn up at the first test with an interesting range of interpretations of the regulations and this will provoke discussion and investigation of possible development directions for all the teams’ in-season development plans."
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