From ninth to sixth in the standings in one afternoon, the double podium in São Paulo brought immense satisfaction to Alpine, salvaging a challenging season. The year was filled with tough decisions, but it sets the stage for progress in both 2025 and 2026.
On the technical front, a winter overhaul of the car’s concept, including a redesigned chassis to reduce bulkiness seen in the A523, had mixed effects. While it allowed for greater development flexibility, it also caused delays, with the chassis passing crash tests much later than expected. To expedite the approval process, Alpine had to homologate a heavier-than-anticipated chassis.
This difficult start saw the A524 struggle in early races, particularly with a lack of rear aerodynamic downforce and traction. The car’s weight and limited rear downforce, compounded by a less powerful power unit, forced Alpine to run low-drag setups, further complicating performance on tracks like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The season’s first major upgrade came in Shanghai, focusing on reducing weight and improving balance, though development resources were stretched thin. As a result, Alpine’s growth was initially hampered by the need to catch up with rivals rather than surpass them.
Six months of technical challenges were accompanied by significant internal changes, including the arrival of David Sanchez, a former McLaren engineer, and a shift in management with Oliver Oakes and Flavio Briatore joining the team. Alpine also announced it would abandon Renault power units in favor of becoming a Mercedes customer from 2026.
The Austin GP marked a turning point, with significant upgrades including a redesigned rear wing, modified floor geometry, and an updated front wing. These changes added aerodynamic load without triggering the bouncing issues that plagued earlier iterations. The updates bridged the gap toward the 2025 car concept, aligning with the team’s vision for continuous improvement.
Positive signs appeared in Mexico and Brazil, culminating in a double podium and a climb up the standings. Pierre Gasly particularly benefited from the updates, which aligned better with his driving style. The team showed competitive form in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Las Vegas, highlighting improved tire management and adaptability across varied tracks.
Despite 2024’s challenges, Alpine laid the foundation for 2025, positioning it as a transitional year. The upcoming switch to Mercedes power units and the new 2026 technical regulations offer an opportunity for a fresh start. While 2025 may act as a bridge, the groundwork laid this season sets the team up for a promising future.
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