How Alpine’s intriguing Las Vegas tweaks helped its charge

The Alpine team showcased its adaptability at the Las Vegas track this past weekend, with Pierre Gasly making an impressive fourth-place finish on the grid and Esteban Ocon charging from 16th to ultimately secure fourth place in the race. The A523 car seemed well-suited to the high-speed demands of the venue and the team made significant refinements to various aspects of the car’s design, enhancing its performance relative to its competitors.

One of the key areas of focus for the Alpine squad has been in refreshing the design of the front wing throughout the season, in order to achieve the ideal front-to-rear balance alongside rear-end adjustments. The modified front wing introduced at the British Grand Prix, and continuously refined since, possesses a different flap distribution arrangement, offering improved low-speed management compared to previous designs.

Alpine’s rear wing configuration also underwent adjustments, as the team opted for the low downforce rear wing seen at the Italian Grand Prix, paired with a trimmed lower element and the removal of upper winglets from the rear brake duct, all aimed at enhancing straight-line speed.

Ferrari, on the other hand, made a pivotal change to its aerodynamic setup between practice sessions, allowing for a performance that would have secured the front row, if not for a penalty incurred by Carlos Sainz. The team also adjusted its rear wing configurations based on the evolving track conditions, demonstrating its strategic approach to optimizing downforce levels throughout the racing weekend.

While most teams opted for bespoke low downforce packages, Red Bull continued to take a different route, maintaining its rear wing configuration from Monza with a notable adjustment to the upper flap’s trailing edge. This choice resulted in different performance characteristics for drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, showcasing the team’s willingness to explore unique solutions tailored to individual driving styles.

McLaren also utilized its Monza specification as a foundation for the Las Vegas race, adding a Gurney flap to the rear wing and opting for a bi-plane beam wing arrangement, emphasizing the team’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in aerodynamic design.

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Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.