Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin has revealed it will bring some upgrades to this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix to begin reducing the weight of its Formula 1 car.
The Enstone-based squad had entered the campaign with reduced expectations amid the choice to commit to overhauling its entire concept with its A524 challenger.
However, Alpine sits bottom of the Constructors’ Championship having failed to score a point in the first three rounds with an uncompetitive and overweight chassis.
Both drivers had been reticent on the timeline for developments, but Famin has confirmed the team is “on schedule to make the first updates to the A524” at Suzuka.
“Although they are not major, it is important for us to add these elements as soon as we can so we can assess the potential and continually improve our understanding of our package.
“These updates mainly concern a new front wing as well as the first step of weight reduction.”
Esteban Ocon provided a rare positive for Alpine at the last round in Australia as he reached Q2 to put an end to the Anglo-French marque’s run of double Q1 eliminations.
Famin accepts that the unique characteristics of the Albert Park Circuit contributed to Alpine’s more competitive showing compared to the rounds in Bahrain and Jeddah.
“We were able to fight closer to the points than in previous rounds,” Famin acknowledged.
“That said, that was likely down to circumstance and track specifics rather than an improvement in performance. And it is still a long way from our objective.”
The Frenchman, who has now taken the role on a permanent basis, declared that Alpine must continue to “fight tooth and nail to better our performance in all areas”.
Ocon, who started 15th in Melbourne, is adamant that points were possible without the unscheduled pitstop to remove a tear-off that became lodged in his brake duct.
“There were promising signs with the car showing better performance across the weekend as a whole and being closer to the teams around us,” Ocon expressed.
“[But] it felt like a bit of a missed opportunity as, without the extra pit stop to remove the tear-off from the rear brake duct, we could have been in the mix for points.”
Famin also revealed Alpine’s carbon scheme will now adopt predominant blue highlights again, with the alternative pink design having been used in the first two races.
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