Alpine will take the first updates for the A524, a car that has not yet scored points this season, to the Formula 1 Japanese GP, which takes place this coming weekend.
Mainly, these changes aim to reduce the weight of the car, but in addition, the team will also have aerodynamic refinements. Team principal Bruno Famin stated that everything is on schedule to make the first updates to the A524 at the race in Japan.
“While these are not major changes, it is important for us to add these elements as quickly as possible so that we can assess the potential and continually improve our understanding of the car,” said Famin. “These updates mainly concern a new front wing as well as the first step in weight reduction.”
Alpine enjoyed a slight improvement in performance at the Australian GP, where Esteban Ocon became the team’s first driver to reach Q2 this year. “We managed to fight closer to the points than in the previous stages. That said, it was probably more due to the circumstances and specifics of the track, rather than an actual improvement in performance. And we are still far from our goal”, added Famin.
It was also confirmed that the team will switch to its predominantly blue livery from the Japanese GP onwards, as it used the alternative pink scheme in the first few races. However, both versions use significantly less paint than last year in order to reduce weight.
Ocon finished the race in Australia in 16th, three places behind teammate Pierre Gasly, but was forced to make an extra pit stop to remove debris from the rear brake duct.
“There were promising signs with the car showing better performance throughout the weekend and being closer to the teams around us,” said Ocon. “But it seemed like a missed opportunity, because without the extra pit stop to remove debris from the rear brake duct, we could have been in contention for the points,” concluded the French driver.
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