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 who enter the final stages of the season, battling for fourth place in the constructors’ standings, just 18 points behind McLaren.
McLaren recovered some of its deficit thanks to Lando Norris’ seventh place finish in the previous round of the Italian F1 Grand Prix, where the Alpine F1 team ended in a double retirement.
But Alpine F1 Team sporting director Alan Permain insists the team’s understated performance at Monza’s ‘Temple of Fame’ is a one-off, and will take a place in the pecking order at the next round in Singapore.
“It’s 100% external, for sure,” said Alan Permane.
“We have a new floor for Singapore with a significant increase in powerlessness.”
“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 he had been caught off guard by the Alpine F1 team’s relative performance at Monza.
“I didn’t think it would be a struggle, I thought it would be fine,” said Alan Permane.
“We ran very perfectly 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 bit higher in terms of drag, but we thought that was the fastest way out here. That’s where we raced.”
In Italy, Esteban Ocon had expressed concern about the impact of the uneven nature on ground effect cars and drivers in Singapore.
But Alan Parmen downplays that concern.”
“I was surprised that he said knocking was scary because it’s generally a high speed phenomenon and there’s not a lot of high speed there,” said Alan Perment.
“I’m sure it’s going to be very physically demanding for them. It’s a long race, it’s a hot race, but it’s been like that since it’s been on the calendar. I don’t know if is 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
