Alpine had its most successful weekend of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the recent Chinese Grand Prix after implementing its first major upgrade. While Esteban Ocon’s 11th place finish may not seem impressive, it does show that the struggling team is capable of making progress. Ocon was the only driver to benefit from the update package as the team expedited its production to have it ready for the race in China. The update included a new chassis and modifications to the diffuser, floor edges, and front floor fence. These changes also contributed to weight reduction, making the car lighter and improving downforce. Alpine aims to reach its target weight soon, potentially in time for the Canadian Grand Prix in June.
In China, Alpine showed its closest performance to date this season, with Ocon leading the way. Even Gasly, who did not have the upgrade, was relatively competitive in the older car and supported his teammate with a 13th place finish in the race. Ocon acknowledged that while the weight reduction was beneficial, there are still questions about the aerodynamic performance. The team needs further analysis to determine if the upgrade has provided a clear advantage in terms of performance. The upgrade was part of the team’s routine aero development and not a reaction to the poor start of the season.
Despite not scoring any points yet, Alpine is aiming to secure sixth place in the championship this year. Gasly believes that the team can now compete in the midfield based on the performance of the upgraded car and his own performance. He feels that the upgrade has brought them closer to the competition, and while they may not be fighting for top positions, they can at least aim for small points finishes.
The upgrade introduced by Alpine in China primarily focused on the outer edge of the floor. Changes were made to the camber in the longitudinal side wing section, as well as the mounting hangers. These adjustments aimed to optimize airflow and improve flow structure developments. The floor and the small turned-up section of the floor work together to scavenge flow from underneath the front corner of the floor, while the diffuser increases the speed of the flow. A longitudinal slot gap helps seal the floor and a small duct allows flow to be pulled inside the rear tire. This flow, along with the airflow over the section of the floor in front of the rear tire, reduces the amount of airflow being pulled into the underfloor. The splitter on the front cutout of the floor edge also underwent a small profile change to enhance the initial vortex. Alpine also made alterations to the flow distribution under the leading edge by modifying the profile of the inner splitter. These changes aim to increase the velocity of the flow from front to back and subsequently increase the downforce created by the underfloor. It is still early to determine if these changes are a step forward, and Alpine will need a few more races to optimize the upgrade and assess its development direction.