When we look at the 2023 Formula 1 season, Alpine seems like a strong midfield contender, and nothing more. However, if the whole season is to be taken into context, then, the Enstone-based team is the biggest achiever. After the pre-season test, things looked dire for the French team. The first few races confirmed that. But a crucial tipping point emerged, that has led to the team now consistently in the points, and with a Monaco GP trophy back home courtesy of Esteban Ocon.

At the Miami GP, Alpine CEO, Laurent Rossi held no prisoners while slamming the team for performances that weren’t up to the mark. He then ended the tirade with a simple yet brutal ultimatum, “The trajectory is not good. We need to fix the mindset of the team ASAP. If not, it’s the rule of business there’s going to be consequences.” It would appear that this remark of his may have forced the team into working overtime.

Alpine unveils big 2023 Plans

The next race is at the Red Bull Ring. However, it is a Sprint Weekend. Generally spelling carnage, teams abstain from bringing any new parts at this event. However, even with a stringent cost cap, Otmar Szafnauer is willing to pull off a $150,000 gamble to ensure Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly don’t disappoint the boss again at the Austrian GP.

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Motorsport-Total quoted him as revealing, “We have something in the pipeline [upgrade wise]. So there is more coming in Austria. A new front wing, our strategy is to keep bringing upgrades as we find them and not wait for a big pack, so that’s what we’re doing, there will be more upgrades in a few more races.” This will be a risk, as a single front wing can cost up to $150,000!

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Alpine is surely going to work overtime to give Esteban Ocon the best machinery possible, but there’s a good reason behind it, too.

Esteban Ocon delivers championship ultimatum to Alpine

Alpine (formerly Renault) has not been a championship contender for a long, long time. However, according to Ocon, the team is ripe for them to make the push, as they have that key element that could define success. Well, he was talking about himself!

He told DAZN, “I don’t care which driver, but I want to fight for the championship. I have always believed in myself. We still have a long way to go, but my goal is to become world champion, nothing else. I can see myself fighting with [Max] Verstappen for the world championship if we had the same car. Max is doing great now, he is dominating with the Red Bull.”

Can Alpine and Ocon close the gap to Verstappen and Red Bull by the end of 2023?

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