Alpine, Haas looking to continue rise in F1 pecking order
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
The 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship enters a new campaign this weekend, and teams who exceeded expectations last season have been buoyed by their performances and are ready to go one step further.
Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) hosts the season-opening F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from Friday to Sunday and all eyes will be set on Sakhir for a hugely exciting weekend.
The Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon will hope that their all-French connection can spearhead the team to a top-three finish in the constructors’ championship, following an impressive fourth place in 2022. And it all starts with a positive showing at BIC.
“I am very excited to race for the first time with Alpine this weekend in Bahrain,” said Gasly, who is in his first year with the French outfit after transferring from AlphaTauri.
“Since my first test in December with the team in Abu Dhabi, I’ve been looking forward to this moment, and now it’s almost here.
“All my focus is on preparing well for the race weekend and I’m already eager for my first qualifying laps in the A523 before we battle on Sunday in the race.
“I know it will take a bit of time to get totally comfortable with the team and the car, but right now, I’m definitely confident that we can have a strong race here in Bahrain and the target is to come away with some points in the bag and begin the season in the best way possible.” Ocon added: “It was a long and busy winter, and we are all keen to get back into racing mode and see what the A523 can achieve on track.
We’ve had the last few days to relax and prepare here in Bahrain following the test, so I feel fresh and ready to begin the 2023 season on a positive note.”
Meanwhile, Haas are also looking to continue their steady rise and they too boast a new driver partnership for 2023 with Kevin Magnussen and the returning Nico Hulkenberg.
They will be aiming to build on their eighth-place finish in 2022 and challenge the other squads in the midfield.
“It’s the usual suspects at the front but after that there is a big group of teams where it’s very difficult to see where you are,” said Magnussen. “We know we’re in the mix and it’s a long season ahead, it’s a development race that’s going to happen.”
Hulkenberg commented: “The midfield has always been tight, and small things make a difference to whether you’re at the top end or bottom end and even a good day or bad day can have a huge impact.
We just need to make sure we do our homework and here onwards develop our car efficiently and maximize what we have.”
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