Formula 1

ALPINE F1 TEAM ON THE TRACK FOR THE FIRST TIME

Published

2 years ago

03/03/2021

ALPINE F1 TEAM ON THE TRACK FOR THE FIRST TIME

Alpine F1 Team appears on the circuit for the first time. The name Renault in Formula 1 is definitely a thing of the past.

The first Alpine Formula 1 car made its on-track debut as Esteban Ocon completed a filming day at British Grand Prix venue Silverstone.

Pat Fry described the running as “uneventful”, and Ocon said the team completed its planned programme for the day, which was limited to 100km of mileage as per the regulations.

The former Renault squad has rebranded as Alpine for 2021, in deference to the company’s revitalised sporting entity, and its new scheme was presented during a virtual launch on Tuesday.

On Wednesday the A521 took to the track at Silverstone in the hands of Esteban Ocon.

Ocon completed 16 laps of the full grand prix circuit after a slight delay due to morning fog.

“It was really good fun today,” said Ocon. “First of all, it was nice to get in the car again at a track like Silverstone as that’s always something special.

The Silverstone shakedown marked the first time Alpine ran with its striking new livery, having previously completed 2018 car tests with Ocon and junior drivers under its new guise in a primarily black winter livery’.

“The car felt nice to drive for the first time and we managed to get through our programme as planned.

“There was a bit of a delay this morning with the fog, but once that cleared, the track was dry and that made the running very enjoyable.

“I wish I could drive for more than 100km, but that’s the limit, and I leave here with a smile on my face.

“We want to take that into Bahrain next week when conditions will be more representative with the race tyres and some heat. All in all, it was a very interesting day and I can’t wait to discover more about the car. I have to say, I love the new colours. It’s the best-looking car on the grid!”

It means six teams have now run their 2021 Formula 1 challengers, with Alpine joining McLaren, Red Bull, AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo and Williams.