BWT Alpine Formula One Team heads to the Lusail International Circuit for Round 23 of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the Qatar Grand Prix.

 

 

- Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly preview the Qatar Grand Prix.
- Alpine Academy’s Victor Martins and Kush Maini return for Round 13 of FIA Formula 2, and Abbi Pulling returns for Round 6 of F1 Academy.

 

 

Esteban Ocon:

 

 

Tough Times in Vegas

 


It was a tough race for the team last week in Las Vegas. We struggled with grip and tyre degradation throughout the weekend, but we were able to put in a good lap in Qualifying to finish eleventh. We had a good start to the race but an unfortunate mistake with our first pit stop put us on the back foot and we were unable to reclimb the order and claim points. Las Vegas is a tough race for everyone due to the climate and timings so a huge thank you to the team for working hard to try for points, it just wasn’t meant to be.

 


Sprint to the Finish

 


I am looking forward to returning to Qatar. The conditions will be very different to those we have just had in Las Vegas and the change in schedule from 2023 should mean that the conditions will be improved from last season. As the final Sprint weekend of the year it will mean that every moment on track will count so the key will be to make the most of Friday’s Free Practice to set us up for the weekend. We had a good result last year, qualifying eighth and finishing the race in seventh, so the aim will be to replicate this and try to fight for points in the penultimate round of the season.

 

 

Esteban Stats – Qatar Grand Prix
Starts in Qatar: 2
Points in Qatar: 16
Average Points: 8.00
Best Grid Position: 8th (2023)
Best Finish: 5th (2021)
Best Qualifying Lap Time: 1min 22.012secs (2021)
Fastest Lap: 1min 27.061secs (2021) 

 

 

Pierre Gasly:

 


Not to be in Nevada

 

 

To retire early from the Las Vegas Grand Prix was disappointing for all of us in the team. We had been looking forward to challenging in the race and had high hopes after our strong Qualifying performance, but we were unable to show our potential after we were forced to retire the car. We have more to learn from after this race weekend, which we will definitely take with us into the final two weekends of the year as we do our best to end the season strongly and be in contention for that P6 spot in the Championship.

 


Under the Qatar stars

 

 

I’m really happy to be heading back to Qatar this weekend and to get back racing so quickly after a difficult Las Vegas. The Lusail International Circuit is a high-speed and flowing track which I like to drive a lot. There are overtaking opportunities with the long main straight, but it can be difficult to follow cars through the high-speed corners for the rest of the lap. We will look to carry over our pace from the previous rounds and compete hard for points across the weekend. As it’s the final Sprint weekend of the season, it will be important to come out of the blocks quickly on Friday morning as every session counts straight away. Every year at Qatar, I’ve qualified well, including during the Sprint, and I’m looking forward to continuing our Q3-streak and carrying that form into the race.

 

 

Pierre Stats – Qatar Grand Prix
Starts in Qatar: 2
Points in Qatar: 0
Average Points: 0
Best Grid Position: 2nd (2021)
Best Finish: 11th (2021)
Best Qualifying Lap Time: 1min 21.640secs (2021)
Fastest Lap: 1min 27.019secs (2021)

 

 

Alpine Academy

 


Alpine Academy’s Victor Martins, Kush Maini and Abbi Pulling all return for the penultimate rounds of their respective series – FIA Formula 2 and F1 Academy – at the Lusail International Circuit.

 


Session Timings:


Friday 29 November
13:00-13:40 – F1 Academy First Practice
14:05-14:50 – FIA Formula 2 Practice
18:00-18:40 – F1 Academy Second Practice


Saturday 30 November
15:20-15:50 – F1 Academy Qualifying
19:20-20:10 – FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race (23 Laps or 45 mins + 1 Lap)
23:05-23:40 – F1 Academy First Race (14 laps or 30 mins + 1 Lap)


Sunday 1 December
14:00-14:35 – F1 Academy Second Race (14 laps or 30 mins + 1 Lap)
15:20-16:25 – FIA Formula 2 Feature Race (32 Laps or 60 minutes + 1 Lap)