The Renault engine is “only 10 horsepower” away from the best, according to Szafnauer
After a promising start to the season, Alpine is satisfied with the progress made on its engine. Even though it still lacks reliability, the new power unit has brought the French team closer to the top contenders.
The time when the Renault engine was ridiculed for its lack of reliability, which caused Red Bull, among others, numerous retirements in 2018, seems far away. This season, Alpine is performing well, and this is largely due to its highly competitive engine. Although the French team currently ranks fifth among the constructors, the A522 has shown that it has the level to aim high. Fernando Alonso could have achieved a top 4 in Q3 in Melbourne if it weren’t for a power unit failure.
For Otmar Szafnauer, the team principal, the progress made on the engine has brought Alpine closer to the leading teams. We have taken a step forward on the power unit. We are probably about 10 horsepower behind the best, somewhere in the middle. I think [the factory] Viry has done a brilliant job. It is now up to us to continue developing the car, rejoiced the former Aston Martin team principal.
Alpine can be satisfied with the progress shown in terms of performance, but must not forget reliability. Fernando Alonso could only score two points this season, being let down twice by his engine in Jeddah (retirement during the race) and Melbourne (failure in Q3). The French team has already let valuable points slip away in the tightly contested midfield battle.
At the beginning of the season, Laurent Rossi, the CEO of Alpine, clearly announced that he preferred to have a fast engine rather than a reliable one. This seems to be confirmed even if Alpine hasn’t experienced as many reliability issues as Red Bull, for example. Fernando Alonso is already on his third engine in as many races, which will force him to use at least a fourth one during the season.
However, this new change will exceed the regulatory limit of three engines per season allowed and will result in a penalty for the Spaniard. Alpine will have to improve the reliability of its power unit in order to continue competing at the top and perhaps reduce the gap that separates them from Mercedes to become the third force on the grid.
