Ocon and the challenges of Shanghai: “A Sprint weekend on a 'new' circuit”

Last time in Shanghai

Five years ago, when Formula 1 arrived for the last time in China, Renault was still present with that name and with a line-up made up of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg. A team that arrived at the Chinese round (the third of that year) with six points in the Constructors' World Championship, doubled in Shanghai thanks to the seventh position of the Australian, today in Racing Bulls.

Four GPs, zero points

A decidedly different situation compared to today's situation both for the driver and for the French team, today 'Alpine' and in the midst of a competitiveness crisis. The reality of Enstone is in fact preparing for the Asian appointment with the recent accusations of Team Principal Bruno Famin against the previous management, due to a start of the world championship which sees Alpine still stuck at zero points after four GPs held.

The challenges of the circuit and the Sprint

A very complex moment that he will try to interrupt with a top-10 finish Esteban Ocon, both in qualifying and in the race. An objective that has become almost a mirage, especially in the race, for the men of the transalpine team, even more so when faced with a circuit which has not been run on for some time and which will be home to the first Sprint weekend of the year: “This weekend it's a bit like going to a new circuitas it has been five years since F1 last raced in China – he has declared – last week I was in the simulator in Enstone working hard with the engineers to prepare for the weekend, especially as it is a Sprint weekend with less time available for testing. It was nice to familiarize ourselves with the track and evaluate different set-up options. The Shanghai track features an interesting mix of low, medium and high speed corners, as well as having a one kilometer long straight. Therefore, it is natural that a compromise must be found between downforce and the reduction of aerodynamic drag in a straight line. The Shanghai race marks the start of two Sprint weekends in a row and the first of the 2024 season. We have seen in the past that Sprint weekends tend to provide different variables and open up new opportunities. The progress of the last few races has shown that we are more competitive in qualifying on the flying lap, so we need to evaluate how make the most of the revised Sprint format. Traditionally the Tire degradation is quite high in Shanghai, which leads to contrasting strategies and some interesting battles in the final stage of the race. As a team, therefore, we must carefully evaluate the tire strategy for each session and ensure we are in the best possible position for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix.”

All challenges also highlighted by Pierre Gaslywho, except for the Australian GP, ​​always finished behind his teammate: “The track is quite particularwith long straights and very long curves – has explained – there are many challenges and it will be interesting to see the condition of the track, given that Formula 1 hasn't raced there for many years. Furthermore, it is a sprint weekend, the first of the year, and the first with a slightly new format, so we will try to maximize all the opportunities that arise. We need to be at work straight away from the first practice session to increase our chances during the race weekend. Our main goal is to continue pushing as much as possible, staying focused and motivated to catch up with the rest of the group.”