Disastrous season for Alpine starts with difficulties in F1 GP in Bahrain and in the second race in Saudi Arabia. The first race saw French drivers Ocon and Gasly starting from the back of the grid in P19 and P20, respectively. During the race, they managed to move up one position each, finishing in P18 and P19. However, their performance in the desert night was challenging and ultimately unrewarding.
Ocon’s performance in the Bahrain GP qualifying showed that the team’s pace compared to last year was not impressive. The situation worsened in Jeddah, where the deficiencies of the overweight and underpowered A524 were exposed. The qualifying numbers for the Saudi Arabian GP further highlighted the team’s difficulties.
After the disappointment in Jeddah, Ocon spoke to French reporters about the team realizing the hard work they have ahead. They tested the 2024 car virtually in the simulator and understood the challenges they would face. Ocon emphasized that improvement would come gradually and that they had a plan to develop parts throughout the season. However, he also acknowledged that the team’s progress would not happen overnight.
The A524’s performance in Saudi Arabia compared to last year’s cars indicated that Alpine is now one of the slowest teams on the grid. They have dropped several positions in the hierarchy, going from the top of the midfield pack to the bottom of the list.
With ongoing changes in the Alpine team, doubts arise about the team’s future. The rebranding process from Renault to Alpine seems to have lost momentum and the team appears to lack direction. This decline is a disappointing legacy for a proud champion of French motorsport.
Ocon, who is starting his fifth season as a Renault/Alpine driver, acknowledged the challenging situation. He admitted that the team is behind schedule and there is no way to soften that. Gasly, Ocon’s teammate, also expressed resignation and emphasized the need for improvements in the car and the team. Both recognized the importance of being patient until updates are made to the car.
Meanwhile, the team will do their best with the resources they have. The disappointment is shared by everyone in the team, but they will quickly shift their focus to the next race in Melbourne. Gasly, in his second year with the French team, shared these feelings. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier in Jeddah)
