Fernando Alonso says he is relishing the fact that Formula 1 stars are no longer having to drive like ‘small children’, thanks to the new 2017 rules.Although the McLaren driver has had a deeply disappointing two weeks of testing thanks to Honda engine frustrations, he insists that his initial experience of the new rules this year is hugely positive.And Alonso says he is embracing the fact that the extra grip and reduced degradation should transform the way that he can approach his job.
“The way you attack the corners, the way you feel the grip, has been a good surprise,” he said. “To be able to drive the way you want and not like a small child so the tyres don’t overheat – that’s the best way to feel a Formula 1 car.
“So it’s been fun to drive freely again. Now we just need to be as quick as the others on the straight.”
With early indications from testing suggesting that lap records will be broken this year, the challenge of pushing the wider and faster machinery to the limit means that Alonso is not alone in loving the new cars.
For Nico Hulkenberg, who has switched from Force India to Renault for 2017, the experience of Barcelona has left him a huge fan of the new cars.
“If you go faster it’s always more spectacular,” said the German. “If you go flat through Turn 3, it’s a hell of a ride.