Alpine A522

[BassVirolla]

You machine carbon fibre?

It's not unusual to make holes, cuts or slits in composite parts. Additionally, you usually trim the edges after demoulding.

I don't know in F1, but in industry and in boats manufacturing its, in fact, quite usual.

[diffuser]

You machine carbon fibre?

It's not unusual to make holes, cuts or slits in composite parts. Additionally, you usually trim the edges after demoulding.

I don't know in F1, but in industry and in boats manufacturing its, in fact, quite usual.

Here's the thing though, you're not gonna get much hotter that high 30s C in Bahrain and AR3 said they ran with them closed the whole time.

[AR3-GP]

You machine carbon fibre?

It's not unusual to make holes, cuts or slits in composite parts. Additionally, you usually trim the edges after demoulding.

I don't know in F1, but in industry and in boats manufacturing its, in fact, quite usual.

Here's the thing though, you're not gonna get much hotter that high 30s C in Bahrain and AR3 said they ran with them closed the whole time.

I don't know they were closed the entire time, but they appear to have a configuration where they were closed.

[diffuser]

It's not unusual to make holes, cuts or slits in composite parts. Additionally, you usually trim the edges after demoulding.

I don't know in F1, but in industry and in boats manufacturing its, in fact, quite usual.

Here's the thing though, you're not gonna get much hotter that high 30s C in Bahrain and AR3 said they ran with them closed the whole time.

I don't know they were closed the entire time, but they appear to have a configuration where they were closed.

Well, they obviously didn't need it. So why would they have double the cooling than they need?

Hopefully it has to do with a major sidepod change.

[peewon]

Here's the thing though, you're not gonna get much hotter that high 30s C in Bahrain and AR3 said they ran with them closed the whole time.

I don't know they were closed the entire time, but they appear to have a configuration where they were closed.

Well, they obviously didn't need it. So why would they have double the cooling than they need?

Hopefully it has to do with a major sidepod change.

My very amateurish impression of A522 has been that Alpine has hedged its bets on design concepts (side pods, cooling systems, etc) and tried to leave themselves with opportunity to pivot once more definitive optimal solutions emerge with time. Perhaps influenced by their lack of flexibility towards the latter years of previous regulations to make drastic changes.

[Stu]

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... a52-1.webp

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... a52-1.webp

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... 522-1.webp



From this angle, it looks like the air that comes down off the lower part of the sidepod get's sucked in under the floor through the slot cut in the floor.
https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... 522-1.webp

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... 522-1.webp

I am thinking that could be a ‘cure’ for porpoising; a second, shorter Venturi. Airflow changes with speed (and so, therefore, does underbody pressure). You could really play with the aero balance if you had a second throat section.

[Spoutnik]

I don't know they were closed the entire time, but they appear to have a configuration where they were closed.

Well, they obviously didn't need it. So why would they have double the cooling than they need?

Hopefully it has to do with a major sidepod change.

My very amateurish impression of A522 has been that Alpine has hedged its bets on design concepts (side pods, cooling systems, etc) and tried to leave themselves with opportunity to pivot once more definitive optimal solutions emerge with time. Perhaps influenced by their lack of flexibility towards the latter years of previous regulations to make drastic changes.

I agree with your impression because I've got the same. I would add they focused a lot on the Power Unit imo because of the "engine freeze" taking place... Furthermore, they now too well their main strenght compared to their last year's competitors (Alpha Tauri, AM, or even McLaren) is the fact the are a factory team rather than a customer one.
They could be fast on mid-high speed tracks even if the chassis isn't working really well like Ferrari 2019 or Williams 2014-16.

[diffuser]

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... a52-1.webp

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... a52-1.webp

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... 522-1.webp



From this angle, it looks like the air that comes down off the lower part of the sidepod get's sucked in under the floor through the slot cut in the floor.
https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... 522-1.webp

https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl ... 522-1.webp

I am thinking that could be a ‘cure’ for porpoising; a second, shorter Venturi. Airflow changes with speed (and so, therefore, does underbody pressure). You could really play with the aero balance if you had a second throat section.

I agree with your assessment but also think they are using that air off the sidepod. Like this pic...

Shows how the BINANCE guides the air right to the dip in the floor right by the openning.

[Bombera]

Alpine engine

[Jambier]

Well, they obviously didn't need it. So why would they have double the cooling than they need?

Hopefully it has to do with a major sidepod change.

My very amateurish impression of A522 has been that Alpine has hedged its bets on design concepts (side pods, cooling systems, etc) and tried to leave themselves with opportunity to pivot once more definitive optimal solutions emerge with time. Perhaps influenced by their lack of flexibility towards the latter years of previous regulations to make drastic changes.

I agree with your impression because I've got the same. I would add they focused a lot on the Power Unit imo because of the "engine freeze" taking place... Furthermore, they now too well their main strenght compared to their last year's competitors (Alpha Tauri, AM, or even McLaren) is the fact the are a factory team rather than a customer one.
They could be fast on mid-high speed tracks even if the chassis isn't working really well like Ferrari 2019 or Williams 2014-16.

Yes Rossi confirmed it to Canal+ F1 diffuser in France.
They will continue on their way, but they want to be able to jump to another solution if proven better.

Then if this is a big change, it will of course wait for next year. But having a first solid base, consistant while still being fast is a good option for them.

For 2023 I expect a huge convergence in terms for F1 shapes from all the teams

[AeroDynamic]

new side pod has a square-shape-bulk (Ferrari esque) now at the rear!



Bahrain Test:

[diffuser]

For Blackout

[JPBD1990]

Very Ferrari-esque slab-sided sidepods now. It also looks as though the possibly dip more towards the centre as opposed to across the entire surface as at the test. Interested to see more pics!

[diffuser]

new side pod has a square-shape-bulk (Ferrari esque) now at the rear!

Hope you don't mind, put in what I think is a better comparison image....

Bahrain Test:

[Sevach]

A cross between the Red Bull, sloping, directed at the tire squirt area, concept (which Alpine had from day one rather than copied to be fair), and the Ferrari shoulders.