In the final Sakhir test, Alpine F1 prioritized long-run setup over fast laps, reflecting a strategic approach to pre-season preparation.
Alpine F1, like many teams, did not seek to set a very fast time on the last day of testing in Sakhir.
The French team focused on setup testing, particularly on long runs, throughout the three days of running, and Friday was no exception.
Esteban Ocon, with the 17th fastest time of the day at 1’33”079, completed 55 laps this morning.
“Overall, we had three productive days of testing, and it was probably one of the strongest tests since I’ve been with the team. From the moment I got behind the wheel on the first day, it was flawless operationally. The car was reliable, and we managed to complete our program. We progressed the car from the first to the last day, but there’s a lot of work to do, and it will be interesting to analyze all the data and understand where we can make improvements. Three days is short for a new car, so there’s still much to learn and extract from our package. Thanks to the whole team here, in Enstone, and Viry-Châtillon for their long hours of work over the winter. Now, it’s on to the race.”
Pierre Gasly finished with a modest 15th fastest time at 1’32”149 and 47 laps covered in the afternoon.
“We did a lot of testing, and we now have an important week ahead to review all the data and continue learning about this new concept. It’s crucial to learn everything about the whole package and understand how we can optimize it. For me, it was sometimes quite tricky, especially with reduced running yesterday and today. The red flag on Thursday was unfortunate, and a fin above a wheel came off the car, costing us some laps in the late afternoon. Nonetheless, the team conducted productive testing over the past three days, and that’s what matters most. I’m really looking forward to the first race.”
The team’s director, Bruno Famin, praised “a solid three-day test for the team, where we focused on ourselves and adhered to a comprehensive and significant testing program.”
“We were strong operationally all week, and there was excellent teamwork between the two factories and the track team, which was good to see. Our reliability was good, and it allowed us to carry out our testing plan.”
“It’s now time to analyze the data and focus on optimizing the package at our disposal before the first Grand Prix next week.”
Famin, however, concludes that Alpine F1 may disappoint its fans in the first races.
“We know where we stand. We expect a difficult start to the year as we continue to learn more about our A524 and develop it throughout the season.”
Alpine F1 Sakhir Testing 2024. Alpine F1 Sakhir Testing 2024
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