Alpine Formula 1 executive technical director David Sanchez admits that the team’s recent jump up the grid after a series of upgrades has been “a nice surprise.”
Sanchez says the team knew that it was improving the car but didn’t know how successfully the changes would move the cars up the order.
The car has been well inside the top 10 in qualifying in several recent races, with a high of P3 for Pierre Gasly in Las Vegas, and Esteban Ocon earning P4 in the wet in Brazil.
The car’s inherent pace also helped the team to take advantage of the tricky conditions at Interlagos to secure a double podium finish.
Asked by AutoRacer.it if the car’s form was a surprise Sanchez admitted that the jump up the grid provided by upgrades was better than anticipated.
“Yes and no,” he said. “No, because the package we brought to Austin, we had our simulations before, we knew the sort of performance we wanted to see, and we saw all of it, nothing more, nothing less.
“We were quite happy. Then the interesting point which we asked ourselves beforehand was, if we deliver the performance, where does that bring us? And this was the nice surprise, that that performance clearly lifted us in a decent place.”
Crucially the recent changes have made the car easier to drive as well as faster.
“That’s something we’re trying to do,” said Sanchez. “The car became a little nicer to drive with the upgrade. It’s true, whenever you keep adding more and more downforce, at some point you have to ask the question, is it too much?
“Are we making it too peaky? But for now, let’s say the upgrade has improved drivability, and driveability is indeed one of our objectives for our development.”
Sanchez agreed that the improved form has been a boost for the team after a difficult start to the 2024 season.
“For everyone at the factory, it’s been quite satisfying, because this year we’ve seen a few hits and misses from a few teams in terms of upgrades,” he said.
“We had our question marks, and seeing everything translating well on the track, understanding why, and being confident about the direction, was good.”
Sanchez added: “It’s been a big boost. I have to say, there’s a good buzz in the office since the last few races, mostly because, after the start of the season, a difficult start, lots of questions to answer about why and what happened then?
“Then across the summer, everyone worked really, really hard to deliver that package, let’s say, between Singapore and today, pretty much a brand new car.
“There was a lot of belief that this upgrade was going to lift our performance, and it did. And everyone is finding a lot of motivation into it.”
The team now has a good direction for the 2025 car.
“That’s what we hope,” he said. “We don’t want to be overconfident, but so far, it’s given us quite a bit of confidence.
“Understanding the struggles and picking the right direction was key. Now it’s a matter of continuing.
“We have a new front wing and a new nose for this weekend, which should be another step in the right direction, preparing us for next year.”
