Alpine

**Alpine-Renault**

## Overview

### **2022 (Season 9)**

Renault come into 2022 with a new name and a fresh paint job. For the foreseeable future, the Enstone based team will be known as Alpine F1 Team. This coming off the back of the teams 2021 success, Renault want to increase the popularity and brand recognition of their sports car brand Alpine.

The team in blue look to have taken a conservative approach to the regulation changes, but it looks to have paid off. long run pace was exceptional from both drivers, whilst one lap pace looks to be a weaker area. The A522 looks to be a steady base, and should be easy to adapt to new concepts that emerge as the season progresses. The Renault Power Unit looks again to be powerful, but suffered from technical issues on each day of testing.

To the surprise of no one, Alpine keep the same driver lineup for 2022 that Renault had last season. Fernando Alonso still looks to defend his Driver's title, and match Sebastian Vettel with a fifth. Esteban Ocon will again look to back up the Spaniard and help guide Alpine Renault to Constructor's success.

Alonso's season started strongly. Securing pole position, controlling the pace in the race, and taking victory. Ocon completed a front row for Alpine, and went on to finish third in the race.

Alpine were again strong in Round 2 at Japan. However, Alonso had to contend with the unexpected challenge of Williams. Alex Albon was set for victory after dominating the first half of the race but suffered Power Unit failure. Alonso inherited the lead and went unchallenged.

Round 7, Italy, Alonso has one of his best performances. The track was green following a washed-out FP3. Alonso made the best of the conditions to secure pole in the dying seconds of Qualifying. Alonso held the lead at the start from a charging Albon. Lap 12, Verstappen and Alonso headed to the pits for Hard tyres. Zhou Guanyu stayed out for another lap looking for an overcut. The Chinese driver's AR/22 appeared well suited to the Hards, as he powered into the lead on lap 17. His time at the front was short lived, as Alonso retook the lead on lap 19. Verstappen held the lead going onto the final lap, only for Alonso to power past and hold on to take the victory.

It was a different story on the side of the garage. Ocon started down in 18th due to penalties. Lap 21, there was action between Red Bull and Alpine. Ocon tried for a move on Sergio Perez, but made contact with the Mexican, and had to put from a new front wing. Despite charging through on Softs, the Frenchman finished outside the points.

There was a mass-pileup during the Belgian Grand Prix involving Ocon. Most drivers made their one stop at the end of lap 10. Perez pitted for Hard tyres. At pit exit, his RB18 suffered a gearbox issue, as was stuck in second. The Mercedes behind of Russell plowed into Perez, shattering parts of the M13 all over the track. Unsighted drivers behind plowed into the wreckage. Russell, Gasly, Ocon, Albon and Matsushita all left behind their wrecked machines.

The four former would receive medical attention. The red flag was brought out, allowing Verstappen to hold the lead. Perez's fate was sealed on the reconnaissance lap to the rolling restart, another gearbox issue holding the Mexican.

Ocon put in a timely performance at Round 11, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Frenchman had the better of Alonso all weekend. Ocon faught his way up to second, holding off a relentless Leclerc in the final laps. Alonso had a quiet race, only finishing in 7th.

Alonso made a critical error on lap 2 of the Spanish Grand Prix. On lap 2, the four-time Champion ran wide through turn 2 into the gravel and dropped to last place. The Spaniard recovered to 9th, but dropped crucial points, and the Championship lead to Verstappen.

Over the United States Grand Prix weekend, Alpine confirmed there would be no further upgrades to the A522, and it's up to Alonso and the team to maximize the package they have. That's exactly what Alonso did. In a wet qualifying, Alonso lined up 3rd, with the Red Bulls on the back row. Alonso maintained position as Tirowee got a bad start from pole. Tirowee repassed the Spaniard at the end of the first lap. Ferrari stuck to their one-stop plan for Leclerc. The race leader pit onto lap 13 for a set of Hards. The Monegasque rejoined the circuit right infront of the battling Norris and Stroll. Norris dove into turn 1 to take avoiding action, but Leclerc made contact with the MCL36, and had to pit next lap for a new front wing. Hamilton was unable to take advantage. He was stuck behind the other W13 of Russell. The Brit span at turn 1 by himself, and dropped right back. This brought the race to Alonso and Tirowee. Alonso pitted at the end of lap 16, and rejoined behind Tirowee, but on fresher Mediums than Tirowee's Hards.

Tirowee pitted for another set of Mediums under the Safety Car, surrendering the lead to Alonso. Tirowee made a decisive move into the final corner on lap 23 to take the lead from Alonso. Alonso put on one final assault on the final lap, and reclaimed the lead from Tirowee down the back straight. He was lucky to finish the race, after Tirowee outbreaked himself en route to second. Max Verstappen finished 13th, after failing to recover from a lap one crash and nose change. Victory for Alonso opened up a 16 point lead with four races remaining. Alpine reclaimed top spot in the Constructor's by 14 points.

The Portuguese Grand Prix was not good for Alonso or Alpine. The team locked out only the third row, Ocon ahead of Alonso. Rain was expected throughout the race. Alpine started both cars on Mediums, whilst Red Bull expected a shower was imminent and both Perez and Verstappen started on Softs. Both Red Bulls launched ahead of the Alfa Romeos, which were also on harder compounds, on lap 1. Alonso passed Tirowee for 4th on lap 7, just as the heavens opened. Perez, along with most of the field, pit at the end of lap 8. The Alfa Romeos double stacked. Verstappen chose to do another lap on Softs, and would fall behind Zhou and Alonso. The rain was slowly becoming heavier, on lap 23 Zhou and Alonso headed to the pits for full wets. Red Bull left Verstappen out to gain track position over the Alpine. Alfa Romeo brought in Tirowee from 3rd on the next lap for wets. Ocon pit for a new set of Inters and was posting times as quick as those on Wets. By lap 27, the rain was slowly worsening, but it was too late for Perez, Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris to pit without losing track position. Tirowee caught and passed Tirowee on lap 29, as it was now full wet conditions. The top 3 kept it on track for the final laps. Alonso finished 7th, with Ocon out of the points. Verstappen finished 2nd, and went into the final race with a 2 point lead.

Alpine's championship bids fell apart at Brazil. Alonso could only manage 5th in Q3, with Ocon 9th. Verstappen took pole, and went into the race with a 5 point advantage over the Spaniard. Alonso gained one place on the opening lap, but Ocon broke off his front wing through turn 3 and had to pit. Alonso's bid for a fifth championship was all but over by lap 30, as the Spaniard had fallen back behind Russell, as well as Perez and Zhou. The outgoing champion finished a defeated 8th. Ocon was almost lapped on his way to 18th. Alpine slipped to 3rd in a two-horse race, due to Alfa Romeo's late season consistency.

### **2023 (Season 10)**

Alpine once again look to have a strong base to work from. The A523 responds well to setup changes, which will be key as the facilities available are still below par.

Pierre Gasly finally broke free from the Red Bull family. After it was confirmed Josh Tirowee would fill the vacancy left left by Sergio Perez, the Frenchman explored his other options. Much like Tirowee, Gasly struggled with the new generation of cars, as was out performed by Yuki Tsunoda. Towards the end of the season, when it became clear Aston Martin were a threat to AlphaTauri for 9th in the Constructors, Gasly upped his game. The Frenchman took crucial points at the Mexican and Miami Grand Prix. This upturn in form attracted interest from Alpine. Initial talks were successful, and once Alonso confirmed his departure, a three year contract was signed. Gasly vowes to make late friend Antione Hubert proud in the team they no doubt could've been team mates in.

Alpine initially wanted to promote Oscar Piastri to the team, after negotiations with Alonso broke down. However, Piastri's management were already in talks elsewhere. This was due to Alpine not following through on their own contractual obligations with Piastri. The dispute went to the Contract Recognition Board, where Alpine were unsuccessful.

The open door lead the way for 2017 World Champion Jean-Eric Vergne to make a grand return. Making a return with a front running French outfit was all Vergne needed to sign the contract. 'JEV' raced for the team under their Renault guise before things turned sour, but with new management since 2020, Vergne and Gasly could have a very evenly matched season long battle.

Despite contributing to Renault and Alpine Constructor successes, Esteban Ocon finds himself in the reserve driver role. Capable of backing up Alonso, the Frenchman was never quite able to break out from the Spaniard's shadow, and often struggled in qualifying.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Vergne showed he'd lost none of his championship winning speed, mixing it with the Ferraris and Josh Tirowee in the early laps. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Vergne brought the car home in 10th, with Gasly only recovering to 17th.

Alpine, brought a significant upgrade package to the Japanese Grand Prix. Rain was forecast for the mid point of the race. Alpine didn't believe it would come any time soon, and pitted Vergne on lap 10. On the next lap, Hamilton and Verstappen responded to the Frenchman. The rain arrived on lap 19. Three laps later it was time to pit for Inters. Red Bull opted to double stack. As the Austrian outfit had the first pit stall, Tirowee was blocked in his box by the stacking Ferraris in front. The Brit dropped to 8th. Vergne secured Alpine's best result of the season so far with 6th.

Gasly secured a career best start of 3rd at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, it was downhill from there for the Frenchman. Gasly couldn't hold off Verstappen's offensive and dropped to 4th on lap 3. Norris showed an encouraging turn of speed and demoted Gasly further on lap 6. Russell was making up for a poor qualifying, and made a sweeping move around the outside of both Gasly and Norris through the new turn 7 on lap 9. Seeing Gasly's rapid descent through the top ten, Alpine switched the Frenchman to a two-stop. Both Gasly and Sainz found themselves with it all to do from the back. Gasly pit for a second time on lap 20. Alpine had genuine pace for the first time this season, and 2017 Champion Vergne used it to move into 5th on lap 23/39. Gasly finished outside the top 12.

Alpine finally showed pace during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Gasly has found a rhythm to top the final practice session. Vergne backed up a strong session for Alpine with 3rd. A magic lap from Leclerc secured pole from Gasly by a tenth. Gasly challenged, but Leclerc held the lead. Leclerc pit at the end of lap 14 and maintained the net lead. Alpine again got creative with their strategy, and ran Gasly until lap 16 to have a tyre offset to Leclerc. Gasly closed the gap to Leclerc but ran out of laps to pass the Monegasque. Leclerc took the win by less than two tenths to the Alpine. Gasly's points haul moved Alpine to 5th ahead of a Williams team fighting one-handed.

Gasly secured his and the team's second podium of 2023 at the Dutch Grand Prix. The Hards also weren't swithcing on for Norris in the overcast conditions, and the McLaren fell behind Gasly and Schumacher. Two laps later, Norris found himself at the mercy of Alonso. Gasly found plenty of pace on his Mediums and the Frechman demoted Piastri off the podium. The rookie fought back at the Alpine but ultimately had no answer. The Frenchman secured 3rd behind the Red Bulls.

Alpine announced over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that 2017 World Champion Jean-Eric Vergne re-signed for 2024.

## Racing Record (CAREER Results Only)

Results in **bold** indicate Championships won.