New Alpine team boss after hectic time: 'Our ambitions remain'

If one team could use the summer break to recharhe, it was Alpine. After a turbulent first half of the season - in which some management personel was eliminated  - the French are hoping for more calm and, above all, more success. Zandvoort should be the first place for that, as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly try, above all, to bring Alpine's volatility to a stop.

It was with a good sense of understatement. Ahead of the first Grand Prix of which Bruno Famin is Alpine's interim team boss, the Frenchman says: "I’m sure the entire team enjoyed the recent summer shutdown as it’s been an exceptionally busy season so far. Clearly, the weeks leading up to the break were not easy for everyone at the team. It’s important now for us to keep our heads down, work hard collectively on improving all areas and aim for our results on track to underline our ambitions. "

Alpine faces 'exciting new start'

With Famin now in overall charge, Alpine claims it cannot suddenly launch an attack on the top teams. "There is no change to the team’s strategy or objectives, only a change in some personnel as outlined before the break. Zandvoort is an exciting fresh start for all of us and I’m sure everyone at the team is ready for the challenge."

Ocon and Gasly thus return to their cockpits after their holidays. Both Frenchmen say they are looking forward to the Dutch Grand Prix. "It’s always nice to be able to take a breath and recharge the batteries after a very intense first part of the season", Ocon says."I was able to be with those close to me and visit one of my favourite places in the world where we all could relax ahead of a busy time of year for our sport. I kept in touch with the team of course and I know we are all raring to go back to racing this weekend in Zandvoort."

'Alpine back to where it belongs'

Teammate Gasly especially hopes that Alpine's volatility disappears in the second half of the season. "We cannot feel sorry for ourselves. All we can do is keep our heads down, work hard and I’m confident the results will follow. We have ten races left to show what we can do to put ourselves back into a more representative championship position in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings in my first season with the team", Gasly says.