Alpine looking for a rebound in Japan after the disqualification of Pierre Gasly

It took six Grand Prix last year to see Alpine score his first point thanks to Esteban Ocon, 10th in Miami. The French hope to do better this year by achieving this at Suzuka, after two blank weekends. In Australia, Jack Doohan crashed during the race, abandoning all hope of scoring points at home.

For its part, Pierre Gasly seemed set to open his counter, but a small strategic error fromAlpine slipped him to the gates of the top 10 (11th). A week later in Shanghai, the Norman failed once again to score his first point of the year, crossing the line in 11th position, before being disqualified after the finish for a car that was too light. A far from ideal start to the season, but one that doesn't require any alarm bells to ring either: last year Alpine had managed to achieve an exceptional second half of the season to secure 6th place in the Constructors' standings, which had nevertheless seemed to be in a very bad way at the start of the year. "After two first races full of challenges despite the opportunities, I can't wait to get back on track for the first triple of the year." assures Pierre Gasly before the Japanese Grand Prix. It was obviously disappointing to be disqualified in Shanghai for a technical non-compliance, especially as we were just outside the top ten. However, our goal is to bounce back this weekend in Japan, a country I know very well and have loved since my time in Super Formula. Suzuka is one of the most beautiful circuits in Formula 1, and the 'S' of the first sector form one of the best sequences on the calendar. It's a technical and fast challenge that really tests the car and the drivers."

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Finally some points for Alpine ? 

Like many of his colleagues, the pilot Alpine is a great lover of the Suzuka circuit, where he has scored points only twice in six Grands Prix with a 7th place in 2019 as his best result. A third top 10 in Japan would be welcome, but it is especially on the other side of the garage that a good result would do good. Jack Doohan is still chasing his first points in Formula 1 while his future in Formula 1 is in question with the presence of four reservists ready to take his place in the event of another poor performance. “It was good to have a week off to refocus after a complicated start to the season. Pierre and I spent time at the factory to analyze the first two races and prepare for this triple event which starts in Japan. I particularly like the circuit. I have already raced there in the Asian Championship Formula 3, but it will be my first time there in Formula 1. So it will be a completely new challenge between the higher speeds and its rewarding nature for taking risks. The objective will be to get the most out of the weekend and score crucial points for the team."

The Australian will only be on track from FP2 onwards, having handed his car over to reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa in FP1. The Japanese driver will experience an exceptional moment in front of his home crowd. “I will take the wheel from Free Practice 2 as Ryo will drive my car in FP1. explains DoohanHe has a lot of experience on this track, so we will be able to rely on his knowledge this week." There will be two Japanese on home soil during the first free hour of the weekend. Yuki tsunoda will play his first official session with Red Bull, where he replaced Liam Lawson this weekend.