Alpine is currently in last place in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship standings. The team’s performance in the Formula 1 season has been extremely poor. They are tied with Sauber and Williams, with no points in the Constructors’ Championship. Among all teams, Alpine’s car seems to have the lowest level of performance.
After finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022, Alpine received significant investment from celebrities. However, despite the investment, the team has faced difficulties with the development and performance of the car.
Since the end of the 2022 F1 season, Alpine has been on a downward trend. Internal problems within the team have also contributed to their decline. Key figures, including the CEO and the former team principal, have left the French manufacturers. This has led to rumors of a possible sale of the team.
During the Japanese Grand Prix, Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished 15th and 16th respectively, without scoring any points. Rumors suggest that any company interested in taking over Alpine would be required to use the Renault power unit until at least 2029. This requirement may deter potential buyers who want to use their own power unit.
Gasly and Ocon were involved in a collision during the race restart after an incident involving other drivers. The contact resulted in damage to both cars and negatively impacted their races.
Gasly discussed the incident in a post-race interview, mentioning that he was sandwiched between two other drivers. He described how he was “sandwiched” between them, resulting in damage to the left side of the floor of his car. This damage caused a loss of 40 points of downforce, further hindering his performance in the 53-lap Grand Prix.
Overall, Alpine and its drivers are facing significant challenges at the moment. It remains to be seen if the Enstone-based team can bounce back and improve their performance this season.
