The Alpine F1 team appealed to the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) to allow the Renault engine to improve its performance, but was rejected.
Under current rules, engine performance for F1 power unit manufacturers Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda is frozen.
Work is permitted to resolve reliability issues and thereby improve performance, but direct modifications to increase output are not permitted.
This performance freeze appears to be becoming an increasingly troubling problem for the Alpine F1 Team. Alpine’s dedicated power unit is thought to be the weakest on the grid.
However, according to Auto Motor und Sport, their efforts to do something about it have met with disappointing results.
According to their report, Alpine and its parent brand Renault calculated that their turbos lacked 30 horsepower compared to rival manufacturers and asked the FIA for special permission to improve the power unit’s performance. Freeze only works if all power units are within 2% according to the rules.
However, Auto Motor und Sport said Renault’s original proposal to close the gap by increasing fuel usage was rejected by the F1 Commission in July, and the F1 Drivetrain Commission again ruled that Renault would not be allowed to develop it. It was reported that the decision was made.
According to an FIA statement, the FIA’s own calculated performance loss for Renault’s engine was only 15 to 20 horsepower.
The 2023 F1 season was a very disappointing one for Alpine. While his rivals Aston Martin and McLaren have surged up from midfield and are challenging the front of the grid, Alpine has stagnated, with only two podiums to date.
As a result, Alpine is content with sixth place in the constructors’ championship, with a gap of 129 points behind McLaren.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Alpine is now setting its sights on F1 in 2024, when it will introduce a new chassis and gearbox, emulating the progress of McLaren and Aston Martin.
Category: F1 / Alpine F1 Team / renault f1 team
2023-10-19 10:23:03
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