The start of the 2024 Formula 1 season has been a challenging one for Alpine, with their new-concept A524 car failing to deliver the desired results. In the Bahrain Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon could only manage 18th and 17th place finishes respectively, a disappointment for a team that had aspirations of fighting for podiums after their sixth-place finish in the constructors’ championship last year.
Table of Contents
Alpine Faces Uphill Battle as Gasly Tempers Expectations for Saudi Arabia
The Bahrain race was plagued by setbacks for Alpine, with both drivers getting caught up in the chaos caused by Lance Stroll’s spin on the opening lap, and Gasly further hampered by a slow pit stop that cost him valuable time. “We knew it would be tough to battle, it was not our day on top of that,” Gasly acknowledged, adding that while they had maximized the potential of the car, they were still struggling with pit stops, an area they were actively working to improve.
As the circus moves swiftly to Saudi Arabia, Alpine finds itself with little time to analyze the data and implement significant changes. Gasly admitted that the team does not have any upgrades lined up for the next race, though he expressed cautious optimism that the Jeddah track might suit their car better than the unforgiving Bahrain circuit.
“I wish I could read the future and have the solutions,” Gasly said wistfully. “At the moment, we are all pushing in the same direction, aware of the situations and the limitations we have. We have to find solutions with the tools we have in our hands.”
The Frenchman emphasized the importance of patience, acknowledging that while Alpine knows the direction they want to head in and the areas they need to improve, it will take time to implement those changes effectively.
Ocon, who finished just ahead of his teammate in Bahrain, echoed a similar sentiment, focusing on extracting the maximum potential from the car regardless of its current performance level. “The most important for me is to extract the maximum from the car, if the car is where we are right now, if the car is above in the front, that’s my target for the whole season and that’s what I want to achieve,” he stated.
Despite the difficult start to the season, Ocon remains optimistic that the Jeddah circuit might suit Alpine’s car better, potentially allowing them to close the gap to the rest of the pack. “I hope we are going to be closer to the pack than we were this weekend,” he said, underscoring the team’s determination to turn their fortunes around.
As Alpine grapples with the challenges presented by their underperforming car, the team finds itself at a crossroads. The recent departures of key technical personnel, including Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer, further compound the team’s difficulties. However, with the appointment of Bruno Famin as the full-time Team Principal earlier this year, Alpine has demonstrated a commitment to stabilizing its leadership structure.
In the face of adversity, Alpine’s drivers remain resolute, focusing on maximizing the potential of their current package while the team works tirelessly to address the underlying issues. The journey ahead is undoubtedly arduous, but with patience, determination, and a clear vision for the future, Alpine may yet find a way to recapture the form that saw them emerge as a force to be reckoned with in the latter stages of the 2023 season.
