Esteban Ocon, a member of the Alpine F1 Team, has revealed that the team will not be implementing any upgrades to their Formula 1 car until after the summer break. However, they will be adding weight-saving components to the vehicle. The A524 challenger has struggled in the early part of the season, underperforming and carrying excess weight, resulting in only five points from the first nine races. While other teams have introduced significant updates for the Spanish Grand Prix, Ocon has shared that Alpine’s car will remain unchanged. As the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a more traditional track compared to recent venues, Ocon is curious to see where Alpine stands in the pecking order. He emphasized the need to maximize the potential of their current car and mentioned that there are a few minor additions, such as new pitstop equipment and lightweight elements. Ocon anticipates a challenging weekend, particularly if other teams make significant progress.
Alpine took advantage of a chaotic race in Canada two weeks ago to secure a double points finish, propelling the team to eighth place in the standings. However, Ocon is cautious about claiming that the Anglo-French brand has fully grasped its issues, despite making progress. He believes that saying they are “on top of things” is a bold statement, as they are not yet competing for podiums and wins. Ocon acknowledges that Alpine’s struggles with the revised A524 are spread across various areas but remains hopeful that they can overcome these challenges. He mentions that the car sometimes bounces at high speeds, causing instability. Despite this, Ocon is optimistic about their familiarity with the Barcelona track and hopes to make further improvements during the weekend. He expects a tight qualifying session and wishes to end up on the positive side of things. Ocon also reveals that his teammate, Pierre Gasly, will be using the heavier chassis this time, as they have been alternating between races. Ocon emphasizes that they receive equal treatment and assures that he will not be burdened with the heavier car in Barcelona.