After digesting the double out in Australia, at Alpine, it's time to move on and start over from performance rather than results. In this initial phase of the season, the team was able to collect little despite the good performances of the team single-seater. In Australia the umpteenth proof of a quality that exists but that doesn't materialize for one reason or another. The accident of Gasly and Ocon has made darkness fall on the excellent performance of the team very close to winning the double points. Despite this, however, the team - which has also been able to manage the difficult dynamics that come into play when an accident occurs between teammates - has nonetheless wanted to express a positive opinion on the weekendespecially from the point of view of performance.
There is room for growth
The fact that Pierre managed to keep up with Sainz in the Ferrari and that before the accident he was solidly in P5, thanks to his pace, can only be an excellent sign for Alpine who now hope to resume this positive trend at Baku, after this long break. Pause even more appreciated given the double accident, which, in addition to weighing in from a Budget Cap perspective, requires the production of many spare parts. “The break wasn't planned, but it's a welcome break both for getting ample spare parts for cars, and for when we bring developments – says Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer.
Pat Fry, technical chief of the French team, commented on the changes introduced in the Australian Grand Prix. Particularly the one in the Halo area that “while being a small part of the car, it actually has an impact on the rear of the car. By normal standards, one could call it a small step forward, but it's not insignificant". Furthermore the team noticed a good correlation between the simulator data and those seen on the track, demonstrating the good preparation work of the team. “There are some things we are still learning to understand. But [the data] is very similar to what we expected; therefore, we hope that the most important developments are equally satisfying. The smaller ones are working as expected."
The development plan in Alpine does not include large single packages but constant updates, to improve the car step by step. The next step will come in Baku, and in the following European appointments.
The search for reliability
Another issue that touches a nerve in the Alpine is reliability. The French team together with Ferrari is the one that suffered the most in 2022, due to the search for greater power at the expense of a lower reliability dictated by the freezing of the engines. Being able to intervene only on reliability, Alpine is quite satisfied with the decision which at the moment seems to have led to the desired results.“We tried to improve the performance, because then you have the possibility to fix the reliability. So it was definitely the right decision. If we hadn't, we wouldn't be where we are today, that's for sure. Most of the reliability problems are now behind us. The major ones we've had we've fixed, but there are always little glitches here and there, like with the chassis. But yes, all major problems have been resolved".
The goals, after the fourth place in the constructors' standings last year is to fight for more important results, to engage in battles with Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin who are giving Alonso – ex Alpine – a second youth.
Source statements: Motorsport.com
