P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine is looking to catch RB and Haas in the constructors’ championship.
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes emphasized that there is no quick fix in the intense midfield competition this season. The midfield battle has been incredibly close, with minor upgrades playing a significant role in improving performance. Oakes pointed out that even small advances, like a tenth of a second, have led to better results given the tight competition. However, not all upgrades have been successful, as some teams experienced a drop in performance after introducing new parts. Oakes believes that the value of an upgrade depends on the remaining circuits and the potential benefits of optimizing the car’s set-up over pure upgrades. According to Oakes, the key to success lies in executing a flawless weekend, as the tight midfield pack magnifies the impact of even the slightest setup error. Upgrades only yield results when integrated correctly, stressing the importance of getting the car in an optimal operating window first. Oakes highlighted Alpine’s successful weekend in Zandvoort post-summer break, where Pierre Gasly delivered a competitive performance to finish ninth. The focus should be on continuous hard work and flawless execution, rather than expecting a miraculous solution.
