Fernando Alonso, Alpine, Spa-Francorchamps, 2022

Alonso “excited” by Alpine’s downforce-boosting new floor for Singapore

2022 Singapore Grand Prix

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Alpine’s upgrade package for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix includes a new floor that the team hopes will return them to their previous competitivity level after failing to score last time out at Monza.

The Italian Grand Prix was Alpine’s second race this year without points, and allowed McLaren to close in in their battle for fourth in the constructors’ championship.

Following that race the team’s sporting director Alan Permane talked up their coming upgrade. “We’ve got a new floor coming to Singapore, it’s got a massive step of downforce and we’ll be back where we should be,” he said.

Both the team’s drivers will have the update this weekend. “The whole team have been working hard on a new upgrade package for this race,” said Fernando Alonso. “So I’m excited to see what it produces.”

Alpine’s chief technical officer Pat Fry said the new floor is significantly different to the old one, though it will look outwardly similar.

“We are bringing an entire new floor to both cars this weekend, which will also carry over to Japan for the next race,” said Fry.

“Visually, on the surface, it’s not much different to the previous version as most of the developments are underneath. It should bring a reasonable step in performance, though.”

The team will continue its development push over the coming races as it bids to protect its fourth place in the championship from McLaren.

“At recent races, we’ve managed to bring a strong set of developments to the car, and they’ve all worked as expected,” said Fry. “We have some more upgrades to bring this season before we begin to wind down by Austin at the end of October.

“Everyone at Enstone has worked exceptionally well on meeting targets for developments, so credit to everyone involved for their hard work.”

Under its previous guise as Renault, Alpine is one of only four teams to have won the Singapore Grand Prix since it was added to the F1 world championship in 2008. Alonso won that inaugural race, albeit in controversial circumstances, and he is set to break the record for the most grand prix starts in F1 this weekend.

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Ida Wood
Often found in junior single-seater paddocks around Europe doing journalism and television commentary, or dabbling in teaching photography back in the UK. Currently based...

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2 comments on “Alonso “excited” by Alpine’s downforce-boosting new floor for Singapore”

  1. Just Alonso’s luck if Alpine finally get it right and they are challenging in the last few races…

  2. I doubt Alpine will pull anything out of the bag. They have underdelivered on updates for as long as I can remember. I think if they can get both cars in Q3 and finish in front of Mclaren, that will be mission accomplished for them. Can’t see them pipping the Red bulls, Ferraris or even Mercedes here.

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