Alfa Romeo’s new C42 car struggled with mileage through the three-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last week, completing 175 laps in total. Only Haas (160) managed fewer laps during the test.
It left new signing Valtteri Bottas saying the team had “work to do” in the second test after the Finn failed to complete even one full race distance, although he could note potential in the car.
One of the biggest issues Alfa Romeo faced was the porpoising phenomenon that caught most teams out when running their new ground effect cars in testing. These mainly emerged on the first two days before mechanical issues hampered its running on day three.
Most teams were surprised by the porpoising, given it could not be accounted for in the wind tunnel or in simulations, with Alfa Romeo technical director Jan Monchaux admitting it was a shock to see such a big problem.
“To be fully transparent and honest, we didn’t anticipate that,” Monchaux said.
“We had discussed…
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