Alpine revealed their A523 at a glitzy London launch on Thursday night time; Pierre Gasly replaces Fernando Alonso to accomplice Esteban Ocon this 12 months; All automobiles have now been revealed, with pre-season testing stay on Sky Sports activities F1 from subsequent Thursday
Final Up to date: 16/02/23 8:33pm
Alpine have drawn a spectacular near System 1 launch season by revealing their hanging new A523 automobile in London, with the staff setting out their hopes to maneuver nearer to the game’s prime three this 12 months.
The ultimate of the ten groups to take the covers off their challenger earlier than pre-season testing begins subsequent Thursday – stay on Sky Sports activities F1 – Alpine held a glitzy launch to current their automobile, their ambitions and a brand new driver in Pierre Gasly, who replaces two-time champion Fernando Alonso.
Gasly and team-mate Esteban Ocon kind an all-French driver line-up for the French staff – a luxurious sub-brand of Renault – who go into their third season following the title change.
2022 was their most profitable but, with Alpine efficiently overhauling McLaren because the quickest midfield staff following the key guidelines overhaul.
“We’re right here for the long run,” stated Renault CEO Luca de Meo. “I hope that we get nearer to the highest.”
The intention now can be to solidify that place – amid expectations Aston Martin may even be part of that struggle – whereas additionally closing the hole to the quickest three groups, Purple Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.
Alpine, like most groups, say their A523 is an evolution of final 12 months’s automobile, with upgrades anticipated by means of the season.
The staff are powered by a Renault engine which – whereas having reliability points final 12 months – now seems simply as fast as rival Energy Items, and are led by staff boss Otmar Szafnauer.
Revered and skilled engineer Pat Fry is their technical director.
Pre-season testing is on February 23-25 in Bahrain earlier than the season begins on the similar observe with the Bahrain GP on March 5. Testing in addition to each observe, qualifying and race session can be stay on Sky Sports activities F1.
Can Gasly fill Alonso’s boots at Alpine?
Alpine thought they’d have Alonso as a driver for 2023. They then thought they’d have Oscar Piastri. After a switch saga that dominated the summer time in F1, they ended up with Gasly. It could find yourself a genius transfer.
Gasly, after a stellar junior profession, impressed at Toro Rosso earlier than becoming a member of Purple Bull, solely to battle alongside Max Verstappen – as many have achieved earlier than and after him.
The twists and turns of F1 are again. Benefit from the journey stay on Sky Sports activities. Season begins third March!
He was axed after simply half a season with the F1 frontrunners earlier than being despatched again to the sister staff, the place he impressed and received his first race the next season for the now-AlphaTauri.
He has been a de-facto staff chief since then and has now earned his transfer to Alpine, following within the footsteps of Carlos Sainz – now at Ferrari – of leaving the Purple Bull household and becoming a member of Renaults.
Gasly and Ocon have had a fractious relationship – notably hostile by means of their karting years – however the pair are actually tasked with main a French revolution of kinds.
