Alpine’s continued efforts to improve its 2024 Challenger will take a big step forward at this weekend’s F1 Chinese Grand Prix.
For one of their drivers.
As noted in the team’s media preview, Alpine will bring significant upgrades to this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, which will see the grid in Shanghai for the first time since the 2019 season. “The team has been working very hard and we were able to bring upgrades to one car this weekend, one race ahead of schedule. Next up is heading back to Shanghai this weekend for the first sprint event of the season. “We will,” team principal Bruno Famin said at the team’s media preview.
As reported by race fanthe team brings a new floor to Esteban Ocon’s A524. According to a report from race fanthe team plans to “rotate which driver receives the new part first if there is only one example available”, with teammate Pierre Gasly expected to receive a new part for the Miami Grand Prix in a few weeks’ time. There is a possibility that we can expect the floor.
Fahmin outlined the team’s difficult battle ahead after the Japanese Grand Prix.
“The last race in Japan highlighted how big a task we have to improve our performance levels. We need to develop the performance of the car to compete for the top positions,” said Alpine. Boss continued. “We have to raise the level in all areas if we are to come out of this difficult moment. It was good to introduce the first updates to the car at Suzuka, but we have to do more. not.”
Famin said both drivers were at the factory after the Japanese Grand Prix, preparing the circuit for its return to Shanghai.
“It has been five years since F1 raced in China. This is a long time in F1 and this weekend will present some unique challenges for all teams and drivers. “We have prepared differently than usual because it is completely different from our specifications. It’s a good course with long straights and some very long corners, but in the past tire degradation has been high,” Famine pointed out. “In line with the fact that it is a sprint event, it is important that we work hard from the start as we are not very prepared. Both drivers took part in the simulator at Enstone last week and are looking forward to their best preparation for the challenge I spent time getting things sorted out.”
This weekend will feel like visiting a new track for Ocon, who was Mercedes’ reserve driver at the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix.
“It’s been five years since F1 was last raced in China, so this weekend it feels like going to a slightly new circuit,” Ocon outlined at the team’s media preview. “Last week I was on the Enstone simulator and working hard with the engineers in preparation for the weekend, especially given the sprint weekend and little practice time. Getting used to the track and evaluating different set-up options I’m glad I was able to do that.
“The Shanghai track has an interesting mix of slow, medium and high speed corners, as well as a back straight that can be as long as a kilometer. So there is a trade-off between downforce when cornering and reduced drag in a straight line. Of course there are compromises,” Ocon continued. “Shanghai is my favorite circuit to drive and one where I have had some good battles in the past. I am happy to be back in China and looking forward to seeing the Chinese fans in the grandstand again. Masu!”
Gasly, who scored points at the last Chinese Grand Prix and even set the fastest lap while driving for Red Bull, is looking forward to returning to Shanghai.
“I’m looking forward to returning to China for the first time in five years. This track is very unique as it has long straights and some very long corners,” Gasly outlined. “It’s going to be interesting to see the condition of the track given there are a lot of challenges and it’s been a number of years since F1 raced there. And this is the first sprint weekend of the year. As this is our first Sprint Weekend in a somewhat new format, we will try to make the most of every opportunity.
“We have to hit the ground running right from the first practice session to improve our chances for the race weekend. Our main focus is to keep pushing as hard as we can, stay focused and motivated, and stay focused and motivated. It’s about catching up with the rest of the field.”
