Alpine Racing, formerly known as the Renault F1 Team, has a long and successful Formula One history. The team made its debut in Formula One in 1977 and has since won numerous races and championships.
Renault’s first chance at success in Formula One came in the early 1980s when they won two Constructors’ Championships with drivers Alain Prost and Rene Arnoux. They also won a third Constructors’ Championship in 1992, but the team’s performance subsequently declined.
Renault returned to F1 as a full works team in 2002, kicking off a brand-new era of success and winning back-to-back Constructors’ Championships in 2005 and 2006, and their driver, Fernando Alonso, won the Drivers’ Championship in both years.
Moments from last night @alpinecars 💫#Alpine #A523 pic.twitter.com/vkJkSoyxj8
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 17, 2023
The French team continued to compete in Formula One, but in 2016 they changed their name to the Renault Sport Formula One Team. The team’s best result during this time was a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship in 2018. Renault rebranded their team Alpine Racing in 2021, and they announced a long-term commitment to the sport. The team is led by Executive Director Marcin Budkowski and racing veteran Davide Brivio.
Alpine released the AF23 on the 16th of February and was the last team to do so, many fans had already seen the livery as it was allegedly leaked a few days before. The livery follows a similar theme to this season’s other cars and features a few elements with exposed carbon fiber.
Things that make sense at an F1 car launch… An upside down #A523 🤙 #Alpine pic.twitter.com/CzkzRW6b3v
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 16, 2023
One of the most noticeable differences between the A523 and the Mercedes W14 is the bulkier lateral part of the engine cover. Alpine has also decided to switch from a pull rod to a pushrod suspension system to reduce weight, achieve better airflow, and make the rear end easier to service for mechanics, as per technical director Matt Harman.
Fans react to the A523.
There is one word to describe the Alpine A523 launch- polarizing. Some fans loved the livery due to the presence of color whereas some hated it saying that the blue, black, and pink ‘don’t go together’. Many others reacted to the transfer of Alonso to Aston Martin with one fan saying “RATIO” paired with an image of Alonso sitting on a goat.
RATIO pic.twitter.com/nPiBd8YB4A
— FerniSecso (@FerniSecso) February 16, 2023
corporate needs your help to find the difference pic.twitter.com/Dz6LVFfUF5
— Ray-Ray (@90Ray_Ray) February 16, 2023
Is it because of the sponsors that the teams copy>paste previous year’s designs?
— Can Aslan (@bencanaslan) February 16, 2023
Fans applauded the move of Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin as they think it was wiser for him to make the decision.
Alpine’s 2022 season
Alpine emerged victorious over rivals McLaren in the 2022 season with 2X WDC champion Fernando Alonso and Frenchman Esteban Ocon. Alonso and Ocon scored 81 and 93 points respectively. They ended up in 8th and 9th place in the WDC, their position in the Constructor’s standings is mainly accredited to the underperformance on the side of McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo.
More details on Alonso’s 2023 move to @AstonMartinF1 👀#F1 https://t.co/6jITpUFZQU
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 1, 2022
The Fernando Alonso deal with Aston Martin due to Vettel’s retirement was one more issue that came up, they announced now McLaren Driver Piastri as their new driver, who denied any such deal because of his plan to be a part of McLaren post-Daniel Ricciardo’s departure.
Alpine’s sponsor plans and strategies
Team principal Otmar Szafnauer commented on the upcoming season. With the arrival of Pierre Gasly, the French team now has an all-French lineup. Alpine will also try their best to avoid Piastri due to all the drama that occurred mid-season in 2022.
You would’ve been better off not releasing this design. It’s atrocious. It’s just ugly. The blue/black/pink doesn’t work at all.
— ✶✶ ranik ✶✶🇹🇼 💙💛 (@ranikOneAndOnly) February 16, 2023
Although according to the 2021 winner at Monza, Gasly, it is fantastic to be officially unveiled as an Alpine driver, and that he is looking forward to this next stage of his career. He added, “I am eager to see the potential and capabilities of the A523 at pre-season testing and to continue getting more comfortable with the team.”
Alpine aspires to be a regular contender for podiums and finish in points regularly. It will be interesting for the fans to see how the French outfit battles to keep McLaren and the rest of the midfield from dethroning them.