MX23RW : Monday, April 7 14:51:26| >> :600:118301432:118301432:

Struggling Ocon analysing Alonso 'style' - Budkowski

Struggling Ocon analysing Alonso 'style' - Budkowski
© Reuters
Fernando Alonso is now fully up to speed at Alpine, according to the team's executive director Marcin Budkowski.

Fernando Alonso is now fully up to speed at Alpine, according to the team's executive director Marcin Budkowski.

On the face of it, it means Esteban Ocon has now lost his status as the Renault-owned team's fastest driver.

Ocon, 24, left Austria last weekend suspecting there may in fact be something wrong with his car.

"The difference is just too big. There is definitely something that is not working properly," said the Frenchman.

However, Budkowski is not so sure.

"He (Ocon) was never far away," he is quoted by Spain's AS newspaper.

"Despite his enormous experience, even a driver like Fernando had to get used to dealing with tyre temperatures and many other details that greatly influence qualifying in particular," Budkowski insisted.

"It took time for him, but he is there now."

Budkowski admits that is a "difficult" pill for Ocon to swallow.

"The midfield is so competitive. Every weekend we see that every tenth matters. So it doesn't take much for one driver to get to Q3 and the other is out in Q1," he said.

He said Ocon spent the week between the two Austrian races "looking at the differences between Fernando's style and his".

In truth, though, Alpine is already much more focused on 2022.

"The 2022 car is getting a lot of attention," Budkowski confirmed. "We are still doing some small parts, but the work in the wind tunnel has been completely turned towards next year's project."

He therefore expressed frustration with the FIA's decision to clamp down on 2021 rear wing flexibility mid-way through the season, which he says is "collateral damage" from the Red Bull-Mercedes title fight.

"It is forcing us to dedicate a lot of resources and money to that, because we need one wing for each level of downforce," Budkowski revealed.

"We designed the wings for the rules, they passed all the tests, but now we have to spend a lot of money adapting them to the new tests. The performance of the car has hardly changed, but we are spending money and resources that could have been allocated to the 2022 car.

"I know the FIA can change the tests whenever they want, but the impact for us is very great."

ID:454415:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2809:
Written by
GMM F1

Click here for more stories about Esteban Ocon

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
England's Harry Kane scores against Denmark at Euro 2020 on July 7, 2021
Read Next:
Euro 2020 matchday 27: England beat Denmark to set up Italy clash
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31227272304273
2Arsenal311711356263062
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest31176851371457
4Chelsea31158854371753
5Manchester CityMan City31157957401752
6Aston Villa3114984646051
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle29155949391050
8Fulham3113994742548
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton31121184947247
10Bournemouth311291051401145
11Crystal Palace30111093935443
12Brentford31126135147442
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd31108133741-438
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs311141658451337
15Everton31714103338-535
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham3198143552-1735
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3195174359-1632
18Ipswich TownIpswich3148193165-3420
19Leicester CityLeicester3045212567-4217
20Southampton3124252374-5110


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!