Ahead of the brand new 2024 F1 season, Formula 2 teams acquired their first style of the brand new F2 car at present at a shakedown on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.
Only one car per staff was used, and 20 drivers confirmed for the 2024 season have been capable of get some mileage below their belt. The primary focuses of this shakedown have been on reliability and on the teams studying find out how to function the brand new car, with six hours of operating throughout the day.
Under clear skies and in chilly temperatures, Van Amersfoort Racing was first in line to hit the observe at 9am native time, with Enzo Fittipaldi behind the wheel on Pirelli Hard tyres.
The relaxation of the sector adopted shortly, with Invicta Racing the primary staff to complete a lap, courtesy of Kush Maini, within the first half-hour of the morning session.
A complete of 286 laps and 1330 kilometres have been accomplished earlier than the lunch break, as Invicta Racing achieved essentially the most mileage with 38 laps. Teams have been capable of complete lengthy runs, the longest of which being 13 laps.
The pitlane reopened at 14.00 native time in hotter situations. DAMS Lucas Oil’s Juan Manuel Correa was the primary one out of the garages. It was one other busy session and when the flag dropped the teams had accomplished 363 laps within the afternoon. PREMA Racing’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli achieved essentially the most laps with 53. More lengthy runs have been carried out within the afternoon session, with the longest one coming in at 13 laps.
Overall, the teams achieved 649 laps, totalling 3018kms of operating all through the day. Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix): “The first aim of this shakedown was to have a clear session with no points, and that’s what we achieved. We had run plan to get a primary feeling of how the car is dealing with in corners and the way it behaves.
“It was so good to get again behind the wheel! The first feeling of the car is that it doesn’t change loads in comparison with final yr’s, so I can put my expertise to good use for the brand new season.
“Everything went wonderful with no reliability points. It’s a really optimistic begin. “Today was additionally about checking the aerodynamics as a result of that’s the largest change in comparison with the earlier car, and to begin engaged on set-up that will likely be related for after we go to Bahrain. We additionally checked that every part is working correctly on the car.
Our first, second, third, fourth… and 649th laps within the new 2024 F2 car are within the bag! 🎒
Check out some snaps from the shakedown 📸👇#F2 #RoadToF1 pic.twitter.com/F0zND6or8w
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) January 24, 2024
“Of course, the aim is to go step-by-step, not injury the car and take advantage of out of the observe time to develop and check various things, however I pushed additionally! I prefer it when immediately, you may push, you get the boldness. Honestly, I’m glad. It’s the primary morning of the brand new season and it went properly. I introduced the car to the restrict in some unspecified time in the future, and I may really feel I’ve car below me.
“We are in a good position ahead of pre-season testing. We have data to analyse, we will go further in our development. We will keep working with the team. I’m ready!” FIA Formula 2 Technical Director Pierre-Alain Michot: “The goal of this shakedown was for the teams to grasp how the brand new car operates, to be sure that all methods are working wonderful collectively and to grasp how every part behaves. We are fairly pleased with the operating achieved at present. The teams have been capable of complete loads of mileage which is an effective first step.
“The first milestone was reached with all of the vehicles hitting the observe this morning when the lights turned inexperienced. It was necessary to see them straight out of the field, it was fairly an emotional second. And the second optimistic step was having all of them return to the pits with none challenge. There have been no pink flags, which implies that all vehicles have carried out as anticipated whereas the teams are studying find out how to work with this new machine.
“There are nonetheless just a few little issues to regulate forward of the primary official check session, however that’s regular. With eleven teams, there are eleven alternative ways of working. This permits us to be taught much more about this car. We may already appropriate just a few issues for the afternoon session, however there are nonetheless some changes to make earlier than the primary race of the season, however we’re not removed from what we want.
“Next step will be the three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain, with all 22 cars, before the opening race of 2024, and I cannot wait to be on the starting grid!”
