The French manufacturer took the decision as long ago as November 2022 to push on with an aggressive revamp of its F1 car for the 2024 season.
The heavily-revised A524 was unveiled at a launch event at the team’s Enstone factory on Wednesday, with technical director Matt Harman suggesting that the only carry-over component from its 2023 car was the steering wheel.
But one thing that the team has not been able to work on directly is its engine – with it well aware that it is down on power compared to rivals. Insiders last year suggested that the deficit could be as much as 30bhp.
Despite an investigation by the FIA to see whether or not there were grounds to allow Alpine to equalise its performance against its competitors, it was eventually decided no action was necessary.
Alpine itself said it does not want to waste time worrying about the situation, as it knows the issue can only now be sorted for 2026.
But that has not stopped the team focusing on improvements to areas that interact with the engine that should help pay dividends on track this year.
Source: Autosport