Alpine head to Singapore after a pointless outing at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and are looking to maximize their chances around the Marina Bay Circuit.
After a pointless outing at Monza, where Pierre Gasly finished out of the points while Esteban Ocon retired with car trouble, Alpine are looking to score some points at Singapore, also hoping the layout of the Marina Bay Circuit would favor their underpowered A523 as it requires maximum downforce with power unit performance not a major factor.
Ocon will be celebrating his 27th birthday next Sunday, and is looking to make it a special one with a strong result in Singapore.
Speaking in Alpine‘s race preview, Ocon said: “I enjoy going to Singapore and, although this track poses some unique challenges, I do feel comfortable driving there.
“It is physically very demanding on the body, which of course all drivers prepare for, but I think driving around any city streets under the lights is always exhilarating.
“Unlike Monza, the Marina Bay circuit is a slower, twisty track, making it a very technical circuit for us drivers,” he pointed out. “Furthermore, we know that a street track like Singapore can present opportunities to do well.
“We will be looking to maximise these chances and aim to get back into the points come Sunday and make my birthday extra special!” the Frenchman concluded.
Gasly has scored points in Singapore in 2022 and in 2019, and is hoping to repeat his feat this time around; he added: “The Marina Bay Circuit is one of the trickiest on the calendar as it’s quite a bumpy street track with lots of turns and a lot of gear changes.
“On top of that, it’s extremely hot and humid in Singapore making this one of the biggest physical challenges of the year for us drivers and a place for which we have to carefully prepare.
“I do enjoy the track; I’ve scored points at the last two races there and certainly intend to make it three in a row,” he added. “There is a slightly new layout with the removal of the chicanes in Sector 3 and instead a long straight leading into Turn 16.
“The lap is much faster than before and we’ll see what it’s like in Free Practice 1 and see what opportunities it might bring,” Gasly concluded.
Alpine are currently sixth in the 2023 F1 Constructors’ Championship with 115 points. Gasly and Ocon are tenth and 11th in the Drivers’ Championship respectively, separated by one point.