Alpine has a big package at Spa – but the next one is more significant
Alpine Formula 1 executive technical director David Sanchez says an update package due after the summer break will form the basis of the team’s 2025 machine.
The team introduced a new package at Spa on Friday, which includes a revised front wing, beam wing, rear wing, engine cover, and rear brake ducts.
Sanchez says the next package will be an “extension” of this one and will lead into next year’s car.
All teams are planning to carry over a lot of their 2024 cars into next season, the last with the current regulations, as they start to switch resources to their 2026 projects.
The Spa package includes a low-drag rear wing, but it wasn’t used in initial running in FP1.
“So from what you see today, all the changes are full season upgrades I would say, non-track specific,” said Sanchez. “It’s only a new rear wing, which is not on the car for now, which is track specific. The rest, which is a front wing evolution, bodywork, rear brake duct, is for everywhere.
“So the wing which we may try, depending on conditions, is the one which we may race here, in Monza, and in Vegas.”
Asked if the Spa updates had been brought forward he said: “I wouldn’t say it’s been fast-tracked. But for sure, it’s been pushed very hard through the system.”
Unsurprisingly Sanchez said that the priority is chasing downforce.
“I think the number one problem is for everyone finding more downforce, and trying to design out some anomalies which we may see with the current car,” he said. “So this package is intended primarily for more downforce.
“So this is a first step in the pipeline. We have another one which will be more big, and that will be the basis for next year. So we will do more on this year’s car.
“We’ve been working on this one [for Spa] since day one. The other one is an extension, using a bit more time to go further.”
Regarding the time of that package he said: “A few races after the break.”
Having been at Enstone since May and had time to assess its facilities Sanchez remains confident that Alpine has the potential to make progress.
“From an infrastructure point of view the team was already well advanced with the plans,” he said when asked by this writer what he had found.
“We looked together, whether we needed to prioritise a few items more than others. I think where we are now, the plan we have, if I look at ’26 and beyond, we should be in a good position.
“Now, it’s more to get everything in the right direction with this car and the next one, and build more confidence in the team.”
Adam Cooper F1 