Alpine to introduce upgrade package at Imola to address new car "weaknesses"

Alpine has confirmed it is to introduce a new aerodynamic upgrade package for this weekend's second Formula 1 race of the season in Imola as it seeks to address the weaknesses of its new car.

After enjoying an intense midfield battle with McLaren and Racing Point last season in the team's former guise as Renault, Alpine was off the pace in the opening race in Bahrain.

Although the returning Fernando Alonso qualified ninth, the two-time champion was forced to retire with overheating rear brakes caused by a sandwich wrapper lodging itself in the ducts, while team-mate Esteban Ocon only managed 13th.

Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski has conceded there was understandable disappointment at the team's failure to score points in Bahrain, which he hopes will be addressed in the upcoming Emilia Romagna GP.

"The Bahrain race weekend confirmed some of the weaknesses of our package, which we’re working hard to improve and gain the few tenths of a second that we are currently missing to fight at the front of the midfield," said Budkowski.

"Both Esteban and Fernando did a good job over the race weekend, but suffered from adverse circumstances – Esteban in qualifying, Fernando in the race – so we’re aiming for a clean weekend to allow them to show their true potential."

As to developing the A521, Budkowski added: "It will be interesting to see how our car performs on a different circuit, having only been to Bahrain for testing and the first race so far this season. It will also generate new data to help our development effort.

"We have an aerodynamic upgrade package coming to the car for this grand prix. In addition, we have some test items to assess during Friday practice, which will help define further upgrades planned over the next few races."

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