Alpine set to debut new motorhome at Spa

Formula One's Anglo-French outfit Alpine is set to use a brand-new motorhome for the first time at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps that hosts the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.

Alpine has used its previous motorhome for several years, but the Enstone-based outfit has now elected to source a new hospitality suite. The new building is easer to set up and dismantle which is a feature that has been crucial in recent years with the condensed nature of the F1 schedule.

The interior has been designed by Philippe Starck with the motorhome set to accommodate a maximum of 180 people.

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.

Expanding on the prospects for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon, who has just been signed by Haas for next year, hopes for better fortunes at Spa.

“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.

Gasly noted: "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.