Alpine F1 Boss Reveals Why They ‘Did Not Expect Miracles’ from Fernando Alonso & Esteban Ocon
Follow Us
Alpine haven’t gotten off to the start they wanted in the 2021 season. The French team struggled in the first two races of the year and have only managed to score three points so far. Executive director, Marcin Budkowski, has revealed that they were well aware of their performance in pre-season testing itself.
The opening race of the season didn’t go the team’s way. While as Fernando Alonso had to retire from the season-opener race in Bahrain due to brake issues, his French teammate, Esteban Ocon came 13th. So, the team went empty-handed that weekend.
Alpine will be looking to make improvements on the car so that Alonso and Ocon can extract the most performance and take the team to the top of the grid in the coming races.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Alpine director could foresee the team’s performance in testing
As quoted by Marçà, Budkowski said, “When we got to the preseason tests, we knew we were experiencing ‘headwinds’ during the winter with the change in regulation, but we also found some issues in the wind tunnel that slowed us down in terms of development.” (Translated via Google Translate)
“We knew we wouldn’t have the best winter possible. Therefore, we did not expect miracles. We expected to be on the defensive in terms of pace and the tests confirmed it,” he explained.
Trending
Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat
April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT
Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”
April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT
What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP
April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT
“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out
April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT
F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal
April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Ocon looks forward to teammate battles with Alonso
This past weekend at Imola witnessed quite a thrilling race, with the drivers constantly fighting each other to move up the ladder. The battle between the two Alpine drivers was a rollercoaster; Ocon came ninth ahead of his Spanish teammate, Alonso. Consequently, Ocon has stated he looks forward to their upcoming fights on the track.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Speaking after the Emila GP, Ocon said, “We had good fights together with Fernando – it was good fun. I feel like there was potentially more on the table today; the pace was good inside the Top 10.
“We could probably have done P7, P8, get in that group, but you know that’s how it is today. We get the reward with one point and will get more with the next one,” Ocon concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The French outfit would look towards the upcoming race at Portugal for the third round of the season. Alonso and Ocon will aim to score some more points for their team. What did you think of Alpine’s performance at Imola? Let us know in the comments below.
‘A Little Bit Odd’ – Fernando Alonso on Being Alpine F1’s “Godfather”