Removal of the Sauber name, retention of last year’s scheme.
We asked for more red and I guess we got it? So that immediately compromises all that I’m about to say! I don’t think I’ll end up being too scathing here, famous last words, because the Alfa from last year was probably the car that grew on me the most. It still wasn’t perfect, it looked too Williams like, but that’s probably been solved now; a mixture of Williams changing it up this year and some subtle tweaks for Alfa have helped to solve this. More red yes, but still probably not enough this year, but the proportions of the livery have changed slightly and I feel this may go under the radar. I believe the red reaches lower on the car at the engine cover. The blue stripes seem thicker. It’s last year’s car on steroids.
Also new is the Alfa red halo, which should really help distinguish it from the Williams. Most of the shots we’ll see will be on board and this will stand out against the Williams. The red rear wing should also help. Even the slight alteration on the Alfa logo looks bold and should like much, much better for the spectator at track side.
Only thing I’d consider is having the bonnet of the car, if you like, in red too. It’d actually be a similar design to the Renault, but be much different, and would be used to different effect too. It wouldn’t be a Ferrari on board because it’s metallic, and a darker red. It wouldn’t be a Ferrari from the side, because it’s half white. I’ll admit this idea was floated by several people last year, but I’d certainly give it a go.
It certainly looks to be a revolutionary car too. This looks like the first time there’s been aggressive looking parts across the whole car. Even during the suffering Sauber days there were funny air intakes for example. Now they have a unique front wing, aggressive barge boards and floor. A team reshuffling itself, plus safer finances, plus closer ties with Ferrari, could very well raise several eyebrows this season.
Return of Kimi, in more ways than one
Kimi goes full circle and returns to the Swiss team, operating under its new guise. We saw at the end of last year how quick a rejuvenated, in form Kimi can be when he’s left to his own devices. He may be F1’s oldest driver but when the car’s there for him he’s still got the pace. He’s now a clear top dog too which might let Kimi wag his tail more than was allowed when playing second fiddle to Vettel. I reckon Kimi is definitely one of the favourites to pull off a shock result this year. He’s had good Monaco pace for a few years now, and goodness only knows what Baku will throw up.
Giovinazzi still is regarded to having good potential for being a strong driver in F1. Beating the experienced Kimi will be difficult to say the least, and I think it may take a couple of seasons to do so. I think he’ll become a solid driver this year but Kimi will just have the edge, but as he learns and gets his rhythm he will become a great driver for Alfa and take the fight to Kimi. He’s got F1 running in the first few rounds too with Sauber, so he should be one to watch for sure, but I feel the Ice Man will just be too hot for Gio this season.
George Talks 