The French team has had a difficult start to the current F1 season, facing challenges with their car’s power and weight. Both drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, have struggled to perform well with the resources they have. In the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ocon and Gasly qualified in 19th and 20th place respectively, and finished in 17th and 18th place. In Saudi Arabia, they failed to advance past Q1 in qualifying and did not score any points. At the Australian GP, Gasly was eliminated in Q1, while Ocon barely made it to Q2, but neither driver managed to score points in the race.
Despite these setbacks, Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin remains optimistic. He acknowledged that the team’s performance in Australia was slightly better, but attributed it more to circumstances and track conditions rather than a significant improvement. Famin emphasized the team’s motivation to rectify their shortcomings and enhance their performance both in the factory and on the track. He expressed the need to work tirelessly to improve in all aspects.
Looking ahead to the Japanese GP, Famin highlighted their excitement to race at the fast and flowing Suzuka Circuit. He revealed that they are on schedule with their development plan for 2024 and will be implementing some minor updates to the A524. These updates primarily involve a new front wing and the initial steps towards weight reduction.
Ocon also shared his thoughts on the upcoming race at Suzuka. He reflected on the mixed emotions from the previous race in Australia, where the car showed improved performance but missed out on potential points due to an extra pit stop. Ocon acknowledged the hard work of the team and their efforts to bring more performance to the car. He mentioned that they will be testing some small upgrades during the Suzuka weekend.
Describing Suzuka as a favorite among drivers and fans, Ocon expressed his enthusiasm for the circuit. He praised its challenging nature, particularly the fast and flowing first sector. Ocon emphasized the precision and commitment required to excel at Suzuka, especially during qualifying. He also highlighted the historical significance of the circuit and the passionate fans, making it a standout event on the F1 calendar.
With these thoughts in mind, the BWT Alpine F1 Team shared their excitement for the Japanese GP on social media, greeting their followers with a friendly “Kon’nichiwa, Japan” and asking who’s excited for the race.