Alpine, an Anglo-French team in Formula One, will be using a brand-new motorhome for the first time this weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
After using its previous RV for a number of years, Alpine, an Enstone-based company, has decided to find a new hospitality room. The new structure is easier to erect and take down, an attribute that has been increasingly important as the Formula One timetable has gotten shorter in recent years.
The RV can fit up to 180 people inside thanks to Philippe Starck’s interior design.
The Frenchman was quite disappointed with last Sunday’s round in Budapest because he won his first Formula One race at the Hungaroring back in 2021.
Speaking about his expectations for the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, Esteban Ocon, who was just signed by Haas for the next season, expressed optimism about his chances in Spa.
“It is still an amazing feeling to be racing at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, where I made my Formula 1 debut back in 2016,” the Formula 1 driver said after competing in the sport for several years.
“With its long straights and variety of corners, this iconic track is the longest on the schedule and presents a unique test for us drivers. With the track’s vastness and the fact that conditions can differ from one part of the circuit to another, the weather is always a factor in Belgium.
“This means that strategy will be key for the race, and we need to work as one to make the right calls and have a successful weekend.”
Pierre Gasly began the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday from the pits after putting on some new PU parts. When the Frenchman was forced into yet another retirement due to a possible hydraulics problem, his day did not get any better.
“To see us into the summer shutdown, we are aiming for a much better weekend in Spa,” stated Gasly. We had an incredible year last year, coming in third in the Sprint.
This time, it is a typical weekend format, and we are really motivated to give it our all in light of the challenging prior tournaments. Although I adore racing on this track—it is one of my favorites—my emotions are never consistent when I am here.
“The first half of 2024 has been difficult for everyone, at the factory and at the track, but we’re in a much better place than we were in Bahrain, and we can improve more,” Gasly stated.
The longest circuit on this year’s calendar, there is nothing like a lap of Spa-Francorchamps #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/yqfL5ctVAV
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) July 23, 2024