Alpine declared war on A523 presentation

The Formula 1 racing team Alpine presented its new racing car A523 in London on Thursday evening. The French team with regular drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly wants to get involved in the fight for podium places in the world championship that starts on March 5th. In addition, the distance to the three top teams Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes should be reduced. In any case, fourth place in the constructors’ ranking should be defended.

“Close” the gap to the top teams

Alpine secured fourth overall last year after a lengthy battle with McLaren, but the gap to third-placed Mercedes was a whopping 342 points. “The gap was big, we have to close this gap,” said team boss Otmar Szafnauer after the unveiling of the car in a former newspaper printing works in London’s Docklands. “To achieve that, we have to develop faster than any other Formula 1 team out there. And that is exactly what we want to do.”

Renault boss Luca de Meo assured that the French carmaker’s commitment to Alpine was long-term. “Maybe Esteban and Pierre can give us some podiums,” he added. Both drivers are Grand Prix winners and have already had their first experience with the car, which made its track debut in a private 100km test at Silverstone last Monday.

Ocon is in his fourth year at Alpine, while Gasly came from AlphaTauri to replace double world champion Fernando Alonso, who now drives with Aston Martin. Australian Jack Doohan, son of motorcycling legend Mick, will be the team’s official reserve driver while also racing in Formula 2.

Car all pink for first three races

The car will run in an all-pink livery for the first three races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia before returning to Alpine’s blue livery. The 23-race World Championship season begins on March 5th at the Sakhir circuit, where the only test drives will also take place next week (February 23rd to 25th).