P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine fast-tracks F1 floor upgrade to China amid recovery push
Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly have not yet scored points due to a late car concept change, putting them behind their midfield rivals who have seen significant progress. The initial upgrades at the Japanese Grand Prix showed promise for Ocon qualifying 13th, but they still struggled to fight for points due to early damage. Alpine has accelerated the development process by introducing an upgrade package originally planned for the Miami Grand Prix at an earlier round, with a revised floor to be used on Ocon’s car. Both drivers will benefit from the new parts starting with the Miami Grand Prix, giving Gasly priority when only one package is available. Team boss Bruno Famin acknowledges the challenge of improving performance and the urgency for further upgrades to compete higher up in the field. It’s a bold move to bring new parts to the Chinese Grand Prix, given the limited data available for the circuit and the sprint format adding additional pressure on preparation. In light of past struggles, the team is focused on meticulous planning and preparation to avoid pitfalls experienced in previous races.
