A top 6 for Alpine before the Sprint qualification in Austria

A week after the Spanish Grand Prix, Formula 1 returns this weekend with an event in Austria. The Sprint format is required, which means that the drivers will participate this afternoon in qualifying for this short round. The latter will be held this Saturday at 12:00 p.m., while the session to determine the Sunday grid will take place at 5:00 p.m. (French time). The only free practice session of the weekend has just ended, with a top 6 for Alpine.

It’s a very positive start for the French clan. Esteban Ocon has set the sixth fastest time, while Pierre Gasly is in eleventh place. After a satisfactory performance in Barcelona, ​​the specialists expected the A524 to be rather competitive on a track offering some similar characteristics. The first hour of driving – interrupted by a red flag following a breakdown on a Red Bull – confirmed this expectation.

Of course, we must remain cautious, especially with the very particular format of this race weekend. Nevertheless, seeing Alpine in the first part of the table can only be encouraging, with a car navigating between the best structures of this 2024 season. The qualification of the Sprint round, this Friday at 4:30 p.m., will provide a first element of response.