Alonso issues Alpine demands in development race

Fernando Alonso has insisted Alpine must develop its A522 quickly in order to consolidate its strong start to the season.

The Spaniard failed to finish the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but the team showed strong pace with Esteban Ocon finishing sixth.

The French manufacturer will be aiming to build upon finishing fifth in the constructors' standings last year and will know it has been given an opportunity this season with the radical change of regulations.

"We need to push the button now in the factory and try to make the new parts get to the circuit as soon as possible," said two-time champion Alonso.

"There are good ideas already in the factory, but it’s the same for everyone. We will see, in the first couple of months, big changes on the cars and we need to make them work and hopefully close that gap to pole position that is still over a second.

"I’m happy because after winter you never know exactly where the team performance is and you can have negative surprises or positive surprises.

"To be fighting for the top ten with both cars has been a relief for Alpine, the job done during the winter has been positive.

"Now it’s up to us to develop the car as quickly as possible, it’s going to be a huge development for everyone and we need to be on track with that."

Alonso "optimistic" team can jump Ferrari-powered cars

Ferrari has introduced an upgraded power unit for the new season with the factory team and customers Alfa Romeo and Haas enjoying an uptick in performance.

"We’ve seen Haas, for example, they made some good choices on the car and the Ferrari engine seems very powerful this year," explained Alonso, who drove for the Scuderia between 2010 and 2014.

"It’s a team that normally starts very strong then they don’t have many developments during the year so it’s up to us to gain that race and to overtake a couple of the teams that may be in front of us.

"I’m optimistic that we can do that."

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