Formula 1 drivers were left enthused by the prospect of better racing with the new 2022 car that was revealed last week.
The current grid got a close-up look at the first full-size model of the new design for next season last Thursday at Silverstone, which represents a dramatic shift from the current generation which date back to 2017.
And asked their impressions in the press conference, the theme was the same.
“2022 will be a serious challenge, getting used to a new car and a new era of car,” Lewis Hamilton said. “If it enables us to follow and race like it is planning to then I think it will be amazing for the fans and the sport.”
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Max Verstappen added: “Interesting, it is very different to what we are used to. The most important is that we can improve the racing, that we can race closer and if this is the way forward then, of course, I am for that.”
George Russell has been keen to get a car that puts more emphasis on driver skill, with his current results limited by an uncompetitive Williams.
So unsurprisingly, he was among the most optimistic.
“It looks great to be honest and I’m excited. The idea behind the change is the right idea and I guess we just have to wait and see when it hits the track if it performs as well as we all hope,” he commented.
“But it’s definitely the first time the sport has ever had a working group towards making racing better and that, as a driver, is all we want.
“There has been a lot of interest in just making the cars faster and faster and faster and the racing side of things has been secondary.
“Now, I think everybody has really pushed to have a car that allows us to race, allows us to push and I really think this will provide that.
“I know obviously, we’re six months away until we will hit the road in winter testing but overall it is really exciting and the sport and the future are looking great.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also revealed he has had a first taste of F1’s new era at the Scuderia’s base in Maranello,
“It is definitely going to change quite a bit, we have already had a go on the simulator and we can already tell it is going to be a different car to drive,” said the Monegasque.
“It looks cool, it looks aggressive and nice. Hopefully, it improves racing, that is the most important, let’s see how it goes.”
One driver some thought wasn’t so impressed by the 2022 design was Daniel Ricciardo, with the Australian caught on microphone calling something “s**t”.
“I like the rear end,” he said. “The rear looks pretty old school, it reminds me of 2008, with that style, which is cool.
“The front is very different, but as with all things, the more you stare at it, the more normal it starts to look.”
When asked directly if his “s**t” comment was aimed at the new car though, Ricciardo replied: “I was probably talking about something else.
“To be honest, I don’t remember saying anything like that because I actually thought it was pretty cool. I wouldn’t have been so aggressive about it.”
OK Daniel, OK.