New package for Pierre Gasly in Austin

It’s back to school for the F1 paddock after three weeks off. But while the teams didn’t travel, work in the factories was still intense ahead of the double/triple header at the end of the season.

More in the news for its chronic lack of performance in recent weeks, Alpine still arrives with significant developments on its A523 single-seater. However, just as was the case at the start of the season in Shanghai, the team only has parts for one car. In contrast to China, this time it is Pierre Gasly who has these upgrades, while Esteban Ocon will have to make do with a car in which he finished one lap behind the winner in the last four races. It is not yet confirmed when the team will be able to have two complete packages, especially with the races coming quickly one after the other.

As expected, the driver with number 10 showed confidence in being able to progress in the hierarchy: « We have been waiting for these parts. They should allow us to be in a better position because the last races have been quite complicated for us. » With the top 8 monopolized by the four major teams, the prospects of scoring points are obviously slim and the Alpine driver has few illusions that his new parts will be sufficient. The main thing is therefore the correlation of the performance observed on the track with what was planned in simulation: « I am not going to say that in Abu Dhabi, I want to fight for 10th, 9th or 12th place. It doesn’t matter much. On the other hand, seeing the effectiveness of our simulation tools compared to what we see on the track will give us confidence for next year’s package and the future. »

Normand thus indicated that next year’s single-seater would be radically different from this season’s because this season’s concept did not work: But from an aerodynamic point of view, everything we do this year will serve us next year. That is why it is important to finish the season with the new parts.

From our special correspondent in Austin