Racing Point

his team has produced an efficient package, backed up by the C39’s prodigious Drsassisted straightline speed of 208mph on the second day of the first Barcelona test that also helped Kimi Raikkonen top the timesheets using the relatively soft C4 tyres. Raikkonen managed a couple of spins during his testing stints, but on the whole looked happy with his steed. He did, however, cause a red flag at the end of the day when he stopped just before Turn 9.

Alfa Romeo used its reserve driver, Robert Kubica, at the tests in Spain. He ended up fastest driver on the first day of the second test using the softest C5 tyre, showing again that the car is working well on a one-lap basis.

The C39 looks like a good progression from last year, while employing certain elements around the rear – notably the main exhaust

Tand wastegate tailpipes – as used by the other Ferrari-powered teams. The biggest departure is the treatment of the top engine inlet that has a triangular roll hoop element in front of a large air intake.

The front wing adjustment seems to include moving three of the outer portions of the flap elements together, suggesting they provide a greater range, therefore the adjustment will be quite fine.

But, as with most of the mid-pack teams, Alfa Romeo was unable to get the consistency on long runs, so may be able to qualify well but could slip back during races. Antonio Giovinazzi in particular seemed to be struggling with long-run pace during the Barcelona tests, with a particular drop-off after 15 laps.

Alfa Romeo started 2019 quite strongly, then fell back a little in the final part of the season, so it will be interesting to see how it can develop the C39 during the campaign.