Esteban Ocon, a member of the Alpine F1 Team, acknowledges that the team is prepared for the worst-case scenario as they head into the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team has made significant changes to their Formula 1 car for the 2024 season after struggling in the previous year and finishing in sixth place. Ocon and his teammate, Pierre Gasly, were informed that the team may face difficulties at the beginning of the season as they adapt to the new design. This was evident in the pre-season testing in Bahrain, where Ocon and Gasly found themselves in the 16th and 17th positions on the timesheets. Despite the challenges, Ocon remains determined to perform at his best regardless of the team’s current standing. He acknowledges the possibility of things not going as planned but emphasizes that there are still opportunities for success this year. Ocon echoes the optimism expressed by Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin, believing that the team can turn their fortunes around as the season progresses. While targets may have been missed in terms of timeline, Ocon remains confident that they can be achieved in due course. The team acknowledges the difficult start they have had but is committed to facing the challenges together and working towards improvement.
“We must focus on the future and devise solutions because we are aware that there are options available to us. Whether it’s in the short or medium term, my current focus is solely on this matter.
“There is a reason why we find ourselves in this situation. However, what truly matters at this moment, starting today, is how quickly we can enhance the performance of our car.
Famin practically confirmed that Alpine needs to reduce the excessive weight of its A524 vehicle while also striving to increase downforce in order to compete with its rivals.
Nevertheless, Ocon has identified a specific aspect of the Anglo-French team’s package that has significantly hindered its overall competitiveness.
“There is one major issue that stands out among the rest,” Ocon elaborated. “Fortunately, we were able to address most of the smaller problems during the three days of testing, which is a positive outcome.
“So, we had a satisfactory experience driving the car, particularly in terms of balance. However, we have clearly identified the problem, and that is what we will be focusing on resolving.”
When asked about the timeline for resolving this particular issue, Ocon responded, “It will take time. I am confident that there are numerous areas where we can still make improvements, but it will require time for the car’s development.”