The Alpine F1 team says it will benefit from a new floor that will provide a “big step in downforce” for the A522 at the upcoming F1 Singapore Grand Prix.
This update will be a timely development for the Alpine F1 team heading into the final stages of the season, battling for fourth place in the constructors’ standings, just 18 points behind McLaren.
McLaren regained some of its deficit thanks to Lando Norris’ seventh-place finish in the previous round of the F1 Italian Grand Prix, where the Alpine F1 team ended in double retirement.
But Alpine F1 Team sporting director Alan Permain insists the team’s understated performance at the ‘Temple of Fame’ Monza was a one-off, and will take a place in the pecking order next round in Singapore. He insisted on returning.
“It’s 100% outlier, for sure,” commented Alan Permane.
“We have a new floor for Singapore with a significant increase in downforce.”
“We’ll be back where we belong and I’m really looking forward to driving this car in Suzuka in particular. It’s going to be fun.”
However, Alan Permain admitted that he was somewhat caught off guard by the relative performance of the Alpine F1 team at Monza.
“I didn’t think it would be a struggle, I thought it would be okay,” commented Alan Permane.
“We ran perfectly fine on Friday, but that’s what’s difficult and what we don’t understand.”
“I did a long run without DRS, but with full drag, it looked fine. Faster than McLaren, faster than everyone we race.”
“It certainly wasn’t as fast as the top three, but it didn’t look like there was much drama.”
“We were definitely a little bit higher drag-wise, but we thought it was the fastest way out here. That’s where we raced.”
In Italy, Esteban Ocon had expressed concern about the impact of the bumpy nature on ground effect cars and drivers in Singapore.
But Alan Parmen downplays that concern.”
“I was surprised that he said banging was scary because generally it’s a high speed phenomenon and there really isn’t a lot of high speed there,” said Alan Perment.
“I’m sure it’s going to be very demanding physically for them. It’s a long race, it’s a hot race, but it’s been that way since it’s been on the calendar. I don’t know if it’s going to be more difficult.”
“The car is quite stiff so I think it will be a bit difficult. It will be a long and physical race for them, but they are fit so it should be fine.”
Category: F1 / Alpine / F1 Singapore Grand Prix