Alonso already drove with three engines in 2022: "Aren't going to use 23"

Alpine seemed to have missed the mark during the first week of testing in Barcelona, but the French team is performing satisfactorily in the first three Grands Prix of the season. Otmar Szafnauer 's team hopes to take another step forward in a week and a half when the Grand Prix at the Imola circuit is scheduled.

Last weekend, Alonso seemed to be competing for the first starting places in qualifying, but a problem with the hydraulics caused the two-time world champion to have to stop his car in the final sector. According to Szafnauer, Alonso would otherwise have been allowed to start the Australian Grand Prix from the front row of the grid. The car seems competitive, but the reliability is still a thing of the past with the team from Viry.

Not only will Alpine try to improve that, but also the performance will be improved. "We will definitely bring improvements, and I think everyone will do the same," says Szafnauer, who says it is mainly about aerodynamics. Only parts that have a greater impact will be included. Alpine does not plan to just try everything, it really has to have a proven added value.

(Un)Reliability Alpine

Alonso already drove with three engines this year, the maximum number allowed. "We are not going to use 23 engines in 23 races," laughs Szafnauer at AS. The engine that was replaced in Bahrain can be used again anyway. Also the power source where a water pump broke in Saudi Arabia would have good chances to be used again later this year.