Alfa-Sauber: Quite a fast C39
NEW DESIGN EFFECTS The Formula 1 teams met with their new cars for the first time at the test drives in Barcelona. The Alfa Romeo C39 from Hinwil appealed with its new design and speed. The graphics of the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C39, as the Hinwil car is called this season due to its new main sponsor, are a further development from the [...]
The graphics of the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C39, as the Hinwil-based car is called this season due to its new main sponsor, is a further development from previous years. It again uses the colors familiar from Alfa Romeo's motorsport history, but at the same time focuses on new effects.
Special design for 110th birthday
The theme of the design developed at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo is called "Speed Pixel". The graphic symbolizes speed and time, thus bridging the gap between the technology of the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C39 and the 110th anniversary that Alfa Romeo celebrates in 2020.
As in the past, the core elements are the four-leaf clover (Quadrifoglio) and the enlarged Alfa Romeo lettering, which now protrudes a little into the logo. The trademark with the cross from Milan's coat of arms and the snake from the Visconti family crest represents 110 years of success in Alfa Romeo racing. At the same time, it casts a glance into the future.
Quasi a brand new bolide
The C39 was created under the direction of Technical Director Jan Monchaux. The vehicle has little in common with the racer from the previous year.
With a completely new concept, the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C39 is designed to help the team build on the progress made over the last two years and continue on its path to the top.
Jan Monchaux: "The C39 is a further development of our last year's car, even though the two don't have much in common. We've made further improvements to the vehicle - apart from perhaps the rims and wheels and some internal components, virtually no visible part is identical to last year. This is the usual process of continuous improvement. We expect to take a step forward compared to last season and hopefully fight for positions at the top of the midfield."
Second fastest time behind Mercedes
Although one should never overestimate the first test week of a new season in particular, the times of the Swiss-Italian Formula 1 team are encouraging. Kimi Räkkönen was the fastest on the second day at the Circuit de Calalunya in Barcelona with 1'17.0. Only the two Mercedes drivers Valterri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton went significantly faster again on the third day with 1'15.7 and 1'16.5. Antonio Giovinazzi was sixth fastest with 1'17.4.
Jan Monchaux: "The first week was primarily about reliability and the functioning of all systems. We did the third most laps of all the teams and were able to work through all the programs. Now we are putting our focus on performance."
Still in Spain
The second week of testing in Spain runs from Wednesday to Friday. After just six days of testing, the teams have to prepare for the start of the season in Australia at home in their factories on the basis of the data obtained and evaluated. The first Grand Prix in 2020 will be held in Melbourne on March 15.
