Räikkönen and Giovinazzi test the Giulia GTA

Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi – Alfa Romeo Racing –OR- LEN Formula 1 team drivers – participated in a day of real-world tests with Alfa Romeo’s new super sports sedans, the Giulia GTA and GTAm. Run at the famous Balocco Proving Ground, where all Alfa Romeo sports cars have undergone development and testing since the 1960s, the test session allowed the F1 drivers to test the cars to the limit and provide feedback in real time. Briefing and set-up sessions took place within the workshop of “Autodelta”, the historical Alfa Romeo racing department.

F1 know-how working on the GTA project

As shown in the exclusive video shot at Balocco, on the historic circuit known as the “Alfa Romeo Track”, world champion Räikkönen and young Italian star Giovinazzi worked closely with the engineers, focusing on specific technical suggestions to optimize the cars’ aerodynamics and handling. To complete the fine-tuning of the GTA and GTAm, the F1 drivers analyzed the changes made to the car and gave an account of their on-track impressions, resulting in a joint assessment of the effects on vehicle dynamics.

Giovinazzi offered tips on the car’s setup, paying special attention to the new carbon fiber components and the new technical solution adopted for the single-nut hubs, paired for development purpose with prototype rims, whose final design will recall the traditional five Alfa Romeo slots, as previously seen on the GTAm concept. “It is great to see the improvements we made to the cars today,” Antonio Giovinazzi said at the end of the test session. Conversely, Räikkönen worked with the aerodynamics department on the new appendages added both to the front – with the new adjustable splitter integrated into the new front bumpers – and to the rear, where the new manually adjustable wing has been introduced. He also examined the overall balance provided by the interaction of these new components with the extractor and the underbody fairing. A good job, according to the Finn: “I find them a perfect mix of everyday use and track use”, said Kimi.

New technical features and specific materials unveiled for aerodynamics and handling

Alfa Romeo entrusted Sauber Engineering with the production of most of the carbon components in the GTA and GTAm, especially those with an aerodynamic impact. These include the new front bumper, the side skirts, the extractor, the GTA spoiler and the GTAm aerowing. The Giulia GTAm, by virtue of its manually adjustable front and rear wings, can adapt its aerodynamic performance to any kind of track or road, accurately following the requests and preferences of the driver.

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