Alpine will bring developments to the A523 from Bahrain

D-2 before the two single-seatersAlpine do not take to the track, and the French team looks confident for this first meeting of the season in Bahrain. Despite winter tests where the A523 went under the radar, the team principal of the Otmar Szafnauer team is “ optimistic ": " NWe have ticked all the boxes on our program while having built a clear understanding of our package for 2023he says. Of course, there is still work to do, but we are satisfied with the current state of things before the first event of the year »

The objectives displayed by Alpine are clear, and have been since the revelation of the two liveries which will be used by the team during the season: retain 4th place in the Manufacturers and reduce the gap with the leading trio Mercedes-Ferrari-Red Bull. If the main competitor of the garageenstone seems to be Aston Martin, difficult to outline the contours of the French performance: “ What we are sure of is that this season of twenty-three races will be long, observes Szafnauer. The most important thing is where you end it, not where you start. We will be introducing the first of our many developments to the car in Bahrain and we can't wait to see what they bring », he announces.

« From the outside, our testing could be considered discreet as we have yet to see our car at its full potential. », continues the American. Indeed, the two drivers did not go higher than 10th place overall, gasly et Or with finishing 12th and 14th respectively on the final day of pre-season testing. “ That said, he continues, the objectives were precise on our side: to be regular in our work to create a solid platform of knowledge and understanding in order to develop the car. The drivers gave excellent feedback, in sync with each other, and we are heading in the right direction heading into this first round. »

Ocon and Gasly ready to score points

The French garage will have to deal with a new pair following a stormy off-season. The hasty and successive departures of Fernando Alonso et Oscar piastri led the way from Pierre Gasly to the side of the man he has known since the age of 6, Esteban Ocon. The latter will begin his third campaign with the A arrow, impatient to “ switch to race mode ": " We took the last few days to relax and prepare for Bahrain, so I'm fresh and ready to start the 2023 season on a good note. There was also a lot to think about and data to analyze after testing, so it was a learning week for everyone as we became ever more familiar with this year's car. » Same impatience on the side of Gasly, who will officiate for the first time in Formula 1 outside the Red Bull house, at the wheel of an entirely pink A523 for the first three meetings of the season: “ Since my first ride with the team in December in Abu Dhabi, I've been looking forward to this moment, and now it's almost here, enthuses the Norman. I know it will take a little time to be completely comfortable with the team and the car, but for now I am confident that we can have a strong race in Bahrain. The objective is to leave with points in our pocket to start the season in the best possible way. »

« I feel at home in this stable and it was great to feel comfortable straight away, says Gasly. We are still reaching our maximum level and I know we have some good developments coming, which always pleases the drivers. » Upcoming developments to confirm the good momentum for 2022, while resolving the engine reliability problems which cost the Ocon/Alonso pair precious points. The A arrow no longer has to wait very long before measuring itself against its competitors for the first time in this 2023 season, from March 3 to 5.

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