Alpine heads to Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix, the eleventh event of the 2024 World Championship season. The Red Bull Ring, renowned for its “old-fashioned” characteristics with a hilly road and grass or gravel runoffs, is one of the shortest circuits on the calendar with only 4.318 kilometers to complete a lap. With its long straight lines – or almost – it is in Austria that the lap times are the fastest, generally below 1’10″.
Gasly: “We must continue like this and try to maintain this form”
After a difficult start to the season on the French side, the Alpine returned as if by magic (or work), in great shape on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit (Canada). This allowed the compatriots to both get into the points, in Canada and in Spain. The drivers were therefore able to move up to 15th and 16th places in the World Championship. “ The car was relatively competitive, says Esteban Ocon. From the start of the weekend we managed to perform well, then throughout qualifying to be in Q3. I was sliding a lot, the balance of the car was delicate (during the race), but we nevertheless finished comfortably in the points and that’s positive. »
« I came back really delighted from Barcelona, admits Pierre Gasly. We have to keep this up and try to maintain this form because every point will count at the end of the year in such a competitive championship. Of course, there was a bit of disappointment not to have been able to take eighth place on Sunday, but fighting on merit against a Red Bull (that of Sergio Pérez. Editor’s note) until the last lap shows our progress and it’s satisfying. »
Alpine must now focus on the next two consecutive races to gain a lead in the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships. “ It’s always a challenge to do three events in as many weeks, admits Pierre Gasly. Spielberg is a short circuit, I have often enjoyed driving there. We need to take the lessons from Barcelona, especially on high-speed performance and balance, and apply them this weekend. As it is a Sprint weekend, we will have to be in the rhythm from the start to fight in both races. »
« I always loved running in Austria, and I have good memories there, expresses Esteban Ocon. In 2022, we had a great weekend here, taking ten points from fifth place. We must aim for Q3 and, of course, valuable points. » See you on Friday at 12:30 p.m. for the start of the Austrian weekend with the only Free Practice session, Sprint weekend required.
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