2024 Formula 1: Who are the drivers and team principal for Alpine F1?
With sights firmly set on climbing the ladder in 2024, the Renault-owned team has made some bold moves both on and off the track as they head into the new season.
Alpine are hoping to be “significantly closer” to the elite end of the F1 grid in 2024 as they hope to close in on a “solid fourth” finish in the in constructors’ championship. Of course with some of the giants of the sport ahead of them, they will have their work cut out for them.
Alpine’s Bruno Famin is aiming high
When Renault opted for a rebrand in 2021, many scratched their heads. Yet, it quickly became obvious that the newly named Alpine team weren’t messing around as they finished fifth in their debut 2021 season, collecting a victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix along the way. Indeed, they actually climbed into fourth position in 2022 after a tight duel with McLaren. Here in 2024, it appears the team has set their targets even higher. Of course, given the distance between them and heavyweights like Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes, there is definitely work to be done, but having recently launched the new A523, team principal Bruno Famin is not phased and more importantly is being realistic about the challenges that lie ahead.
One man who is looking to return to the grid is Mick Schumacher, but Bruno Famin has ruled out any chance of the German testing their Formula 1 cars.
“We don’t plan [to allow Schumacher to drive] because we have a reserve driver with Jack Doohan, and Mick is the Mercedes reserve driver. The contract we have with Mick is exclusively for endurance. We have a lot of options. Mick Schumacher is already an Alpine driver, and for the time being, we’re really happy with Esteban and Pierre.”
Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon
One of the interesting aspects about Alpine’s 2024 lineup is the all-French connection they have with Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. Of course, the 27-year-old was previously contracted to AlphaTauri for 2023, but was released early when long-time supporters Red Bull agreed to let him go and he came over last season to Alpine.
“We know we’re entering this season slightly on the back foot with the new car concept and the team is working incredibly hard to bring more performance to the car in the coming races,” says Ocon. “The test session in Bahrain was extremely valuable and we learnt a lot about the new car and its characteristics. The car improved from the first to the last day in testing, so we’re hoping to see similar improvements over the course of the race weekend.
“We know what we’re working with heading into the opening race of the season, and we must extract the maximum from our package to give us the best possible chance of coming away with something from the weekend.”
Having been with Alpine since 2020, Ocon is no stranger to team and its desired goals. With teammate Pierre Gasly being a childhood friend, you would think that all the pieces to the puzzle are now in place. But a new car concept leaves both men feeling that it may take some time to find their feet.
“I expect it will take some time for us to unlock the performance we want from the car but that is no surprise given it’s a new concept,” says Ghasly. “I’m remaining realistic. I know it will not be an easy start for us but what is most important is to keep identifying the key areas of work and to learn and progress.
“There is a lot to learn. I think the good thing is we’ve identified what we’ve got to improve and what are the priorities to focus on over the next few weeks. It’s been very clear with Esteban, we had very similar feedback straight away.”
Both men have won a single race in their careers, driving in circumstances where the midfield teams they were representing were afforded the opportunity to lead, Gasly in Italy in 2020 and Ocon in Hungary back in 2021. Together, they now carry the responsibility of furthering Alpine’s charge to the front of the grid. Needless to say, it will be interesting to watch their progress.