Alpine eager to mimic last year's eye-catching results at Spa

Lack of pace and a gearbox-related retirement - that characterized Alpine’s weekend last time out in Hungary. The Enstone-headquartered outfit is understandably eager to score points again after its run of disappointing races.

The Hungarian Grand saw Esteban Ocon make a great start, climbing up through the field. But he lacked race pace and came home down the field after a late third pit stop for some soft tyres.

Last Sunday’s Budapest round was hugely disappointing for the Frenchman as the Hungaroring was the track where he secured his maiden F1 victory back in 2021.

Hoping for better fortunes at Spa, Ocon noted: “After racing in Formula 1 for a number of years, it is still an incredible feeling to be racing at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps where I made my Formula 1 debut back in 2016.

“It is a classic track and the longest on the calendar, which makes it a unique test for us drivers with its long straights and variety of corners. The weather always comes into play in Belgium especially considering the size of the track and how conditions can vary from one section of the circuit to another.

"This means that strategy will be key for the race, and we need to work as one to make the right calls and have a successful weekend."

At last Sunday’s Hungarian Grand, Pierre Gasly started from the pit lane after taking on some new PU components. The Frenchman’s day didn’t improve when he was forced into another retirement with a suspected hydraulics issue.

After his second gearbox-related DNF in two races gearbox related, the one-time F1 race winner is intent on closing the first chapter of the season in a more successful fashion.

"We are aiming for a much better weekend in Spa to see us into the summer shutdown. We went well last year, finishing third in the Sprint, which was an amazing result.

"It’s a standard weekend format this time around and after the tough previous events, we are incredibly determined to perform the best we can. I love racing this track, it’s one of my favourites, but the feelings I have here are always going to be contrasting.

"The first half of 2024 has been difficult for everyone, at the factory and at the track, but we’re in a much better place than we were in Bahrain, and we can improve more," said Gasly.