After a disappointing start to the season, Alpine hopes to start turning the tide at the Japanese GP. At Suzuka, the French team will bring the first updates to the A524. These changes are far from revolutionary, but they should mark the team’s first steps forward.
Alpine A524: First updates at Suzuka
In the Australian GP, thanks to the retirements of Max Verstappen and the Mercedes, Alpine had a chance of scoring points. Unfortunately for Team Enstone, this hope evaporated after a tear-off forced Esteban Ocon to make an unscheduled pit stop. Team principal Bruno Famin took stock of the situation:
“In Australia, we managed to fight closer to the points zone than in previous rounds. This was probably due to the circumstances and track specifications rather than a real improvement in performance. We are still a long way from our goal, but we are motivated to put things right both in our factories and on the track.”
The French team principal explained what innovations will be brought to Suzuka:
“In line with our development plan for 2024, we are on schedule to make the first updates to the A524. Although they are not considerable, it is important for us to add these elements so we can evaluate the potential and continually improve our understanding of the package. These updates mainly concern a new front wing, as well as the first step towards weight reduction.”
Suzuka, a strong track for Ocon
The Suzuka circuit is among the favourites of Esteban Ocon, who boasts a decidedly positive track record on the Japanese track. The Frenchman has always scored in the points, except in his debut season in 2016 behind the wheel of the uncompetitive Manor.
As an Alpine driver, he finished fourth place in 2022 – his best result of the year – and ninth in 2023:
“Suzuka is often described as the favourite of drivers and fans, and I can tell you that it is absolutely true. For me, it is the best circuit on the calendar, and I love coming back and driving every year. There is so much to like about the track, especially the first sector, incredibly fast and flowing, with no time to catch your breath. One corner quickly follows the another, and a missed apex can compromise the entire lap.”
Returning to the topic of the disappointing Melbourne Grand Prix, Ocon commented:
“Coming out of the last race in Australia, the emotions were mixed. On the one hand, there were promising signs with the car showing better performance and being closer to the teams around us. On the other hand, it seemed like a missed opportunity because, without the extra pit stop to remove the tear-off visor from the rear brake duct, we could have been in the mix for points.
“But this is racing, and if we don’t have stopped, we probably wouldn’t have made it to the end. I know the team at Enstone and Viry are working very hard to bring performance to the car, and we will have some small updates this weekend at Suzuka .”
Gasly: ”I have full faith in the team”
Pierre Gasly also has a special relationship with Japan, having spent an entire season in the Super Formula championship which takes place in the land of the Rising Sun. Despite the disappointing start to the season, the Frenchman reiterated his faith in Alpine:
“We have to be patient until we can improve the car because we are too far away from the competition for points at the moment. I have full faith in the team, it will continue understanding the package and unlocking some performance to get us back to where we should be in the championship. We’ve got some small upgrades on the car, so I’m looking forward to testing them in free practice and carrying them forward through the rest of the weekend .”
