Bahrain GP Practice Exposes Alpine’s Achilles Heel

During the first practice session of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Alpine grappled with tire degradation and other challenges with the car. After replacing Renault, Alpine surpassed expectations in 2022 with a remarkable performance. After securing 4th place in 2022, the team appeared poised to break out from the midfield and challenge Mercedes and Ferrari.

However, in 2023, the team ended up in 6th place, disappointing both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, prompting massive changes to address dissatisfaction. Alpine unveiled the A524 during pre-season testing, hinting at another challenging year ahead. At 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Alpine’s Achilles’ heel was exposed, illustrating why it’s the slowest performer in the 2024 F1 season.

Alpine’s uphill battle, pre-season woes and sacking

In the pre-season testing of 2024, the French team drivers struggled with their performances, hinting at potential pace issues. The new Alpine design is riddled with significant issues. Subsequently, the French team has minimal expectations this season. Despite the team’s best efforts to boost the Renault power unit’s efficiency, the major issues persist, including an overweight car and a poor engine. Alpine’s carbon-heavy livery has become a huge buzz, yet it has failed to mitigate the extra weight of the car.

Besides, the team contends with other difficulties, including restricted load and aerodynamic performance generated by the car. In the 1st official session of 2024, Alpine emerged at the back, with Esteban Ocon 17th 1.35.144 and Pierre Gasly close behind. Before the Bahrain Grand Prix, 27-year-old Esteban Ocon was asked if he was ready for the worst-case scenario. He responded as reported by Mototsport.com, “If things don’t go to plan, obviously yes I’m prepared for that. But we haven’t driven the car yet in full competition order.”

Ocon’s teammate Pierre Gasly admitted Alpine’s failed targets with the new car concept but emphasized shifting focus on finding solutions. “Yes some targets have been missed in terms of timeline, but it still doesn’t mean that we can’t achieve them at some point along the season,” he stated.

Read More: Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon Gang Up Against Christian Horner & Co “They Got No Mercy”

Eventually, Alpine ended up in the last position in FP1, but they still had time to fix their situation. Therefore, these issues prompted Alpine to fire Otmar Szafnauer as the drivers pointed to the management regarding their challenges with the car.

Otmar Szafnauer’s dismissals and Alpine’s unfulfilled expectations

The BWT Alpine F1 Team parted ways with team principal Otmar Szafnauer by mutual agreement on the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. Alpine released this statement on Friday during F1’s 2023 visit to Spa-Francorchamps. Alpine breached the promise to Szafnauer, who was given 100 races to lead the team to the front grid, but was dismissed prematurely. Thanks to Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, they highlighted the shortcomings of their boss, pointing out areas of concern.

Confirming the exits, the French team ranked 6th in the constructors’ championship in the 2023 F1 season for 11 rounds, marked by repeated DNFs at the British and Hungarian Grand Prix. After the announcement, Szafnauer and Alan Permane remained in their positions for the Belgian Grand Prix. After the sacking, Bruno Famin took over the interim team principal role, Julian Rouse, interim sporting director, and Matt Harman, technical lead.

Gasly and Ocon voiced discontent last year, and the team aimed for improvement in 2024. But unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as expected. The BWT Alpine F1 Team parted ways with team principal Otmar Szafnauer after the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. Alpine released this statement on Friday during F1’s 2023 visit to Spa-Francorchamps. Alpine breached the promise to Szafnauer, who was given 100 races to lead the team to the front grid, but was dismissed prematurely. Thanks to Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, they highlighted the shortcomings of their boss, pointing out areas of concern.

After the announcement, Szafnauer and Alan Permane remained in their positions for the Belgian Grand Prix. After the sacking, Bruno Famin took over the interim team principal role, Julian Rouse, interim sporting director, and Matt Harman, technical lead.

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Gasly and Ocon voiced discontent last year, and the team aimed for improvement in 2024. But unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as expected. Despite Otmar Szafnauer’s firing, Alpine still ended up in the last position. Can Alpine surpass Ferrari and Red Bull this season? Share your thoughts in the comments section.