The Alpine F1 team is not doing well, in addition to complete management confusion, it now finds itself at the bottom of the grid and with poor results. Let's analyze the causes of this crisis
Crisis is the right word to surround the team Alpine Right now. The French brand, formerly Renault and from 2021 renamed Alpine, is experiencing one of the most difficult seasons since competing in F1 and the results are slow in arriving. Alpine has been going through a significant internal revolution for about a year. In the first two races of the season, both drivers Pierre Gasly ed Esteban Ocon they started from the last spot on the grid. To the latter goes so far the meager consolation of 13° place in the Saudi Arabian GP, best placing achieved so far by the team.
The protagonists speak | The Alpine results crisis
The 2024 season has so far been a real nightmare for Alpine. The new A524 it was not conceived as expected and the words of the team members about it are jaw-dropping. In fact, a few days ago, team driver Esteban Ocon declared:
In December in the simulator we noticed many problems with the car. We are aware of the limitations we have. If we are not in battle we are still behind, there is a lot of work to do.
In addition to the words of #31 the statements released by the team principal also make us think Bruno Famin:
We expected a complicated start, we announced it during the launch of the single-seater, but finding ourselves in last place is a shock. However, we are still at the first race of a very long season and we have big updates coming.
Weaknesses highlighted | The Alpine results crisis
The A524 presents various shortcomings that affect not only the power unit but also aerodynamics. The engine is estimated to be behind 15-20CV compared to the top teams, with an estimated loss of approximately half a second per lap. Regarding this, already last year the team appealed to the FIA an exemption for the freezing of the power unit. Appeal to which the teams responded negatively. Lack of traction and excess weight make this car difficult to drive and control, as well as tune.
The outgoing technical director Matt Harman had already warned of the single-seater's problems, confirming that Alpine had to review the bodywork by adding carbon skins to strengthen the chassis, increasing its weight. The problems of the car mirror those at the top of the team. Only last week they left the team Matt Harman, Dirk de Beer e Bob Belltechnical director, head of aerodynamics and team consultant.
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