Alpine concept not living up to expectations – Gasly

Pierre Gasly has conceded that Alpine's new concept is not performing as the team "expected", and that they "clearly" find themselves at the foot of the pecking order.

Having finished sixth in the 2023 constructors' championship, Alpine has adopted a bold concept with its new car – the A524.

Unfortunately, the Enstone-based outfit's risk has backfired in dramatic fashion, with the car being overweight and down on power.

Ahead of the fifth round of the championship next weekend in China, Alpine are yet to score a point.

It is a dire situation for the French squad, to the extent that Gasly recognises it will take something meteoric to turn their fortunes around in the "second league".

"I think in the mid-term we need a big thing to improve this car now, this sort of car concept doesn't live up to what we expected," conceded Gasly to select media including RacingNews365.

"But in the meantime, everything we can chip away, every single weekend will get us closer to potentially point finishing at some point.

"At the moment we're clearly at the back of that sort of like second league, every every single tenth we can get as soon as possible will make a difference."

Car 'average everywhere'

Esteban Ocon has also been very open on the pressing issues with the A524, which the Frenchman accepted had faults "everywhere".

The 27-year-old has performed better than Gasly so far this campaign and appears more comfortable in the car, which even he outlines needs improving in all areas.

"I think it's a little bit everywhere, to be honest," Ocon also told select media including RacingNews365.

"At the moment, there's a lot of big details which we are struggling in, and I don't think they are like super weaknesses or super good points.

"I think it's quite average everywhere, I would say, and that's where we need to keep on digging and keep on pushing for sure."