Alpine F1 are almost certainly candidates for the team in the biggest predicament to start 2024. Internal confusion and upheaval are accompanied by disappointing performance on the track. The Enstone team flies towards the third round of the season in Australia, with a best finish of P13 to start the year.
BRUNO FAMIN: “IT IS NECESSARY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS QUICKLY”
“Progress needs to be made,” said Alpine team principal Bruno Famin ahead of this weekend in Melbourne.
“It was a difficult start to the season, even more challenging than we expected. We need to improve the understanding of our package, because we lack performance. We need to solve the problems quickly.”
These words do not sugar-coat the situation, admitting the team is still searching for answers to extract the potential of the single-seater. Alpine’s poor foundations are clear, but the need to prove them in the near future is also clear.
Just days before the Jeddah GP, Alpine lost senior figure Bob Bell to Aston Martin, joining a long list of Enstone departures in recent months. Last summer, concerns emerged when Otmar Szafnauer was dismissed during the Spa weekend.
Several important figures, such as Pat Fry and Alan Permane, soon followed. These engineers are now working with Williams and Racing Bulls, respectively. Of course, the resignations of Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk De Beer cannot be forgotten.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL PREPARATION ON THE WEEKEND IN AUSTRALIA
With a package lacking in overall pace, there is little room for mistakes. Esteban Ocon is conscious of this, as he explained prior to the Australian GP:
“We are aware of the limits of our package, and we must always be at the top every time. Let’s get on track. Not only from me behind the wheel but also from the team with strategies, pit stops and set-up optimisation.”
Ocon outlined that such a closely matched field is capable of changing rapidly from weekend to weekend. Considering Alpine’s current situation, avoiding mistakes could be essential. The Frenchman also highlighted how track evolution will be essential – owing to the Albert Park circuit’s semi-permanent status.
The barriers are usually within touching distance in Australia, meaning that mental preparation must be thorough:
“When racing in Australia, one of the factors to manage is jet lag. Coming from Europe, there is usually about 10 or 11 hours difference, and it is something I work hard on with my coach, already in the days before the flight,” explained Pierre Gasly.
Like other drivers, he arrived a few days early in Melbourne to adjust to the different time zones.
On the technical front, Gasly underlined the importance of dealing with increased grip across sessions. The track will initially be “green” before more laps are completed and grip levels increase.
“I spent a couple of days in Enstone last week to discuss with the team my feelings inside the car and where we can improve,” said Gasly.
“We will use Australia to continue to understand what we have.”
