Alpine has revealed their 2024 Formula 1 challenger, the A524, and just like previous years there are two different liveries, with the BWT inspired pink one being used for multiple races in 2024. Unlike last year, the live-event started right on time. As it was an Alpine Motorsports launch, the French outfit also revealed their Hypercar, the A424. The WEC-contender will be driven by former Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher, among others.
During the launch both cars were, according to Alpine, the actual cars, instead of show cars or last year’s models. Of course the A524 will undergo some changes before it hits the track in Bahrain for pre-season testing, but Vice President of Motorsport and team boss Bruno Famin wanted to emphasise the car has been completely overhauled for the 2024 campaign.
“It’s a great moment for Alpine Motorsports to come together and officially present its programmes for the 2024 season. It is certainly a unique moment to have both the A524 Formula 1 car and A424 Hypercar along with all the drivers in the same room as both projects prepare for what will undoubtedly be a busy and intense 2024 year.
“To see both the real cars here today is testament to all the hard work conducted behind the scenes at our factories from our thousands of talented employees in the United Kingdom and in France. The next stage on our journey is deploying everything to the track, applying operational excellence across the board and growing a greater dynamic and mindset from all our teams. We are all very much looking forward to continuing the hard work to bring the Alpine name success.”
Most eye-catching in both liveries is the large amount of bare carbon-fibre, undoubtedly in an attempt to reduce the weight of the car. Further remarkable features are the wide nose and the Aston Martin-like deep gutters.
The joint Enstone-Viry efforts resulted in a podium for each of their drivers last year, with eventually both of them finishing just outside of the top 10 in the drivers’ championship with just four points separating them. The team itself ended sixth in the constructors’ championship, after ending fourth in the year prior.
To gain back those spots, technical director Matt Harman opted for an aggressive approach, he said:
“The A524 approach has been aggressive but deliberate in the fact we are creating a wider scope to add performance to the car. We have really focused on learning and reacting to what we have learnt rather than on results. The project has been bold where we have focused on realising concepts, which we aim to add to the car. We’ve built ourselves a strong platform to add performance when we can and we have set ourselves targets to deliver those. We have pushed some elements to the limit and, in some cases, beyond that. That is all in line with our approach and exactly what we have set out to achieve in progressing this project to the best possible level.”
Pierre Gasly, who celebrated his birthday today, was looking forward to build on the experience and knowledge he gained after joining the team for last year:
“I would say that I am in a much better place right now than this time 12 months ago. I know exactly all the people I’m working with; I know all the processes and how to get the best out of those around me and out of myself. It is nice to have continuity and building on the foundations that we created last year. I’m feeling confident with the team I have around me. We have all been developing over the last year. Now I am confident that I can attack the season straight away and maximise the full potential of the team.”
Compatriot Esteban Ocon looked forward to extract everything from the car:
“It goes without saying that I am super excited for the season and I cannot wait to jump back in the car and go racing again. This time of the year is exciting as it is the moment we see what the team has produced. I have seen drawings, been on the simulator but, obviously, not yet seen or sampled the complete, real thing. That will wait until shakedown but it’s a nice moment for the team as it’s the culmination of thousands of hours of hard work. As a driver, it’s a goosebumps moment when you jump in a new car for the first time and release the pit limiter. That time is close now with the A524 and I really cannot wait to get started.”
