A new era begins at Alpine.
ENSTONE, ENGLAND–In a virtual approach to launching their new car for the 2021 Formula 1 season, the new Alpine team debuted their A521 Challenger Tuesday afternoon with the opportunity to take on the best in the business. Fernando Alonso, who was recovering from a recent bicycle accident in Switzerland, never spoke at this event due to the COVID restrictions for traveling in Europe. Although the Spaniard was mentioned many times, he made a visual appearance later in the show.
However, his teammate, Esteban Ocon, returning for the second year on the team, said that he cannot wait to race this car in a few weeks in Bahrain. ‘This car makes me proud to be a Frenchman,” Ocon said. “I am proud to be part of the Alpine F1 Team. It is a team with French and British hearts. I am French, but I have been involved with most British teams for most of my career. The Renault (now Alpine) made great progress last year, and the Alpine F1 Team is more ambitious.”
One of the new boys on the block is former MotoGP manager Davide Brivio, who replaced Cyril Abiteboul as Racing Director. “I am ensuring that the drivers are performing at their best,” he said. “That means getting to know them extremely well, what they need to perform, what kind of support network, and then the technical team to action, and it is very much a team sport.”
Marcin Butkowski (photo, AUTOhebdo)
Executive Director Marcin Butkowski was proud of his team, despite the difficulty getting the car ready for presentation. “It has been challenging, and last year was no exception,” Butkowski stated. “We have to innovate, and that is what we do best. But the car is there, and I am proud of the way the team has reacted.”
New Alpine CEO, Laurent Rossi, is another member that is proud of the new project. “Firstly, it is an exciting moment for the team as well as it is for me,” Rossi said.” “The A521 is based on the chassis that has been made to the latest regulations. The colors are developed from the French flag and the Union Jack, representing the sole and expression. It is the symbol of Enstone (England), and Viry (Chatillon in France) are united. The car is a showcase to show the excellence of the Renault Group.”
Luca De Meo, the Renault Group CEO, joined the chorus, saying how excited he is to be associated with this new racing project. “What you are seeing is the simplicity and strength of two flags: French and English. Fernando Alonso has come home after 20 years and, as a two-time world champion, brings talent and commitment. Esteban (Ocon) is a star in the making. He has given us a result with his second place in Bahrain and his fighting spirit and a cool head.”
De Meo closed by affirming his team. “1,200 men and women at Enstone and Viry-Chatillon give the best of themselves every single day. It is them who have given us the progress over the last few years. I know that they will accomplish more, and I want to give them my support today.”
