Familiar settings

What are the main reflections from Miami for the team?

It was great to experience a new event in Miami and it’s always fantastic to witness the buzz that Formula 1 creates when it enters such iconic places. As normal for a new event, there were positives and some really excellent new ideas, while with a first race there were inevitably some things to refine to further improve for next time. Those things naturally occur over time as an event evolves but, all in all, it was a great experience for Formula 1. Right now, we’re focusing on Barcelona and a return to more conventional surroundings, which we’re all very familiar with since we visit this track twice a year!

How is the team approaching this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix?

Firstly, the aim is for us to have both cars inside the points, which we’re yet to achieve since the first race of the season. If we’re going to achieve our goals for the year, then this is the minimum requirement the remaining Grands Prix. We’ve demonstrated consistently we have a competitive car and it’s important now that we convert that promising pace into points on Sundays. We’re certainly aiming to bounce back from Miami by having a much better, and cleaner, race weekend. We can only control what is in front of us, so that’s the target in Barcelona and both drivers are ready to deliver.

What upgrades are the team bringing to Spain?

This year’s championship is intriguing as all teams aim to upgrade and better their race cars. So far, we’re pleased with the upgrades we’ve introduced to the A522 to keep ahead in this sub-race, including the new floor to both cars, which has performed well. Our development programme is in full swing and we’ll keep the updates coming at the next few events. For Barcelona, both cars will have a new rear wing, which is much more efficient than the previous design. 

Back in Barca

Esteban Ocon secured strong points in Miami after his charging from the back of the grid to eighth place. Now the Frenchman returns to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya where last year he stormed to a sensational fifth place on the grid.

A week later or so, how do you reflect on the first Miami Grand Prix?

It was a memorable weekend and a unique spectacle for everyone involved in Miami. Americans really know how to put on a good show! For me, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, which ended on a high with a points finish after missing Qualifying. Miami will definitely stand out at the end of the season as a special race. Now, as a team, we must build on our points haul as we head back to Europe to a track we all know very well. Everyone is hungry to perform and keep scoring more points in the weeks to come.

Back to Barcelona, do you enjoy driving around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?

Barcelona is one of those circuits all teams, and all drivers, know very well. We have raced and tested there for a while now, but of course it does bring its own challenges just like any track. The first two sectors are fast and can be tricky, with tyre management being very important. The final sector is slow speed and you normally feel a loss of grip towards the end of the lap as the tyres overheat. In general, it’s quite difficult to overtake in Barcelona, although the long downhill straight can give power and DRS advantage, so that is a key part of the circuit. It makes Qualifying and race strategy particularly important to gain track position. Last year, I qualified fifth on the grid so it is a track I enjoy, and we know we can be competitive there.

Do you prefer racing at new tracks like Miami or going back to tracks you know well, like the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?

I think both new and familiar tracks each have positives. It’s nice to have a mix of new venues as that means new areas of the world are really embracing Formula 1 and we know the popularity of the sport is getting bigger. It’s also nice to visit new cities and race in front of new fans. The fact that a track is relatively unknown to all teams makes things a little more interesting and it’s a battle to see who adapts to the new conditions best. On the other hand, I think everyone enjoys going back to familiar places where we know what to expect, and in a way be better prepared. I personally always enjoy Barcelona and it is a bit like another home race for me given my Spanish roots. I can’t wait to get back out there and perform in front of the passionate Spanish fans and hopefully have a smooth weekend.

Coming home again

Fernando Alonso returns to the Spanish Grand Prix for the nineteenth time in his Formula 1 career. Despite turning in some strong drives this year, Fernando is left with two points on the board after five rounds in the championship. The two-time champion from Asturias, is eager to add points to his tally as we approach the quarter mark of the season.

The Miami Grand Prix was new for everyone. What were the takeaways for you from the weekend in Florida?

Well, I think racing in Miami is really great for the sport. The attention on the race was huge all weekend and we felt the atmosphere in the paddock as early as Thursday. Despite missing out on Q3 due to traffic, I was quite happy that, in the end, we recovered to finish inside the points at the chequered flag, especially after we lost some ground due to the Safety Car. We had those points taken away from us, but we’ll make sure we qualify well and hope for a smooth race in Barcelona.

Racing in Spain is something you are very familiar with now. Talk us through the lap?

I have raced many years in Barcelona, so I know the track and place well. It’s a track that really shows where your car stands amongst the rest of the field and it’s been home to winter testing for a number of years. The track is not easy to overtake on and so you have to qualify well. Unless there is a Safety Car or something unusual in the race then it’s difficult to gain ground. We’ve been qualifying quite well this year so hopefully we can continue the form from previous Saturdays into Barcelona and have a trouble-free race.

Is there any added pressure to racing at home in Spain?

No not really. I’ve raced here so many times in my career and also in Valencia too, so I’m used to the occasion now and the fans are so passionate and friendly. I enjoy coming back to Spain when I can. I have my museum and track in Asturias where I was born, so I always try to visit there when I’m back in the country.

Academy and Affiliates in action in Barcelona as Formula 2, Formula 3 and W Series comes to town

Alpine Academy’s Jack Doohan, Olli Caldwell, Caio Collet and Victor Martins, as well as Affiliate Driver Abbi Pulling and mentor Alice Powell are in action this weekend in Barcelona on the Formula 1 undercard.

Jack and Olli press on with their rookie FIA Formula 2 campaigns, aiming to bounce back from Imola with both drivers experiencing F3 podiums in Barcelona last year; including a maiden win for Olli.

Victor has secured six wins in Barcelona in his junior career as he targets maintaining his FIA Formula 3 championship lead. Caio, meanwhile, claimed his first F3 podium in Barcelona last season as he looks to take home a strong points haul this weekend.

The W Series also returns in Barcelona with Abbi and Alice looking forward to racing in Europe after their outing in Miami. Abbi has 20 points after a solid start to the season to sit fourth in the championship with Alice sixth on 18 points after her Race 2 podium.

Jack Doohan: “I’m looking forward to getting back to F2 and racing this weekend. I spent last weekend in Qatar getting my first taste of Formula 1 machinery, which was quite a thrill, and I learned a lot out of the experience. I think so far, we’ve clearly shown we’ve got the pace required to fight for wins. Now it’s about putting it all together on Sundays.”

Olli Caldwell: “I’m excited to be back out in the car in Barcelona, a track I know well and have had good success in the past. I’ve had a few weeks off to reflect and see where I can improve. I’m looking forward to it, let’s see what happens and the aim is to take some points.”

Victor Martins: “I’m looking forward to the third round of the championship, which we’re currently leading. We’ve done enough so far to be at the top, where we belong and it’s where we want to stay. I’m confident I can deliver a result there because I have won quite a few races in other categories! I’m aiming to establish a good rhythm over the weekend, work with the team to maximise everything. Let’s go!”

Caio Collet: “I think the first two rounds haven’t been what we expected. We had a bit of everything, including some mistakes from my side. We also made some bad decisions in a few races. I’m just looking to put everything together in Barcelona, from being on the pace in free practice, have a clean weekend, a good qualifying, and then points in both races. We know the car is good. Our goal is for our championship to start now.”

Abbi Pulling: “Last weekend had so much potential. I set the quickest time of the weekend and charged through in both races, doing some damage limitation for a not-so-great qualifying. I’m going to aim to do much the same in Barcelona but with a lot more focus on my qualifying so I’m not making life harder for myself in the race. Everyone is familiar with Barcelona whereas there was a lot of uncertainty around Miami, so it should make for a close race weekend, and I am really looking forward to it!”

Alice Powell: “After a mixed weekend out in Miami, I am looking to take a good haul of points at Barcelona. It is one of my favourite circuits and always produces a fantastic atmosphere. Managing our tyres over qualifying and the race is also going to play a big part in the overall standings, so I'm looking forward to the challenge.”