The performances of the Alpine A522 masked by the team’s decisions

Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon had a quiet week at the Barcelona pre-season tests before a hydraulic issue brought it to an end.

Even though the A522 never really came close to the best times, Alpine believes that a combination of factors prevented it from revealing its full potential. The first factor being the decision not to use the DRS, causing Alpine to lose nearly seven tenths per lap. The team also highlights the choice to use more fuel than usual.

Furthermore, the team found the right settings at the start of the third and final day of testing, allowing Alonso to achieve his best time of the week. However, his race was abruptly interrupted by a hydraulic system sealing issue, which caused flames to appear.

The sporting director of Alpine, Alan Permane, explained the disguised evolution of the A522. « I don’t want to come across as making excuses, and I’m not saying that we’re going to go out there and beat Mercedes and Red Bull, but I think we’re in a decent position. The lap that Fernando did this morning, even if it was just one lap, is very comparable to what Verstappen did at the same time, although Verstappen was using the DRS […], the trajectories are apparently identical, except on the straights where we lose a lot of time. » stated Permane.

A positive feeling

The drivers seem satisfied with the new car according to Alan Permane: « Fernando was very happy with the car. We have found some significant adjustments overnight that have really settled the back of the car. If we had fitted different C3s at that moment, we would have gained three or four tenths and suddenly you are really very close. I don’t mean to say that everything is fine and that we are completely relaxed. Of course, we are worried. But under no circumstances will we end up at the bottom of the timesheet. I have a feeling that we will probably be a little closer to the front than at the end of last year. ».

As for the choice not to use the DRS, it was made on the first day due to some concerns regarding high-speed aerodynamic loads. However, the team is confident and asserts that these concerns will be resolved for the upcoming tests in Bahrain.

« It was just something about the car and we were not confident. » adds Permane. « I’ll be honest with you, it’s related to top speed and thus to the load. We are just being cautious. It’s not that we can’t do it, or that we are worried about anything, or that we think something is broken. We are just being careful. » continues Alan Permane before adding:

« We just said to ourselves, let’s not take this risk. Let’s just use this week to complete kilometers and go to Bahrain with everything prepared. It’s a shame because it’s a big performance gain, it’s around seven-tenths per lap for us. It’s just a good big waste of time. But it’s just where we are.

»