Heading into the 2024 season, reports and rumours inevitably circulate about winter development. Although the accuracy of information is always difficult to validate, some noteworthy whispers have emerged about the development at Alpine.
At the recent Autosport International Event, Guenther Steiner was at the centre of attention. After his dismissal from Haas, the 58-year-old explained the nature of his departure from the team.
However, another fascinating development emerged from this event. When discussing his knowledge about progress across the field for 2024, Sky Sports commentator David Croft provided this nugget:
“I don’t know how it’s all going behind the scenes – a wheel hasn’t even turned at this point,” he is quoted as saying.
“[However] Esteban Ocon said he believes the Alpine is a little slow. He told me that before Christmas.
“But I don’t know who’s in really good shape.”
Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523 and Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523.
07.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Practice Day.
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Of course, reaching any conclusions about the upcoming F1 season is an extremely difficult enterprise. Even employees working in teams themselves cannot be sure about where they will stand.
However, this isn’t to say the field is clueless about its trajectory and progress.
Last year was a fairly good example of this, with whispers of Aston Martin’s significant development starting well before pre-season testing.
Turning specifically to Alpine, it is essential for the French outfit to make a step forward. In recent memory, their performances and results in Formula 1 have been generally uninspiring.
A failure to make the kind of step that Aston Martin and McLaren managed in 2023 is a significant talking point.
After all, Alpine should have every reason to compete with the established front-runners. However, a combination of half-hearted investment and instability with management proved significant limiting factors.
Bruno Famin’s continued presence as interim team principal also suggests another managerial shake-up is inevitable later this season.
Regardless, the next few months will prove if Ocon and Gasly’s machinery will be capable of major honours in 2024.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
