The French manufacturer is coming off the back of a challenging first test in Bahrain last week where the new A524 showed itself to be lacking in both handling and pace terms against the opposition.
While the team has been open about bracing itself for a tough start, some analysis from the testing data pointed to Alpine actually being slowest of all with how its current car is.
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Asked ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix if he was preparing himself for such a worst case scenario, Ocon said: “If things don't go to plan, obviously yes I'm prepared for that. But we haven't driven the car yet in full competition order.
“We don't know exactly. You guys [the media] are selling it [as] the worst. It is a possibility, because we haven't pulled it together with everyone else. But it's not over.
“There are still going to be things to play for this year. And I need to keep on pushing. Because if you start that low, and with how you guys are speaking, I can quit and just exit the paddock right now. But no, that's not who I am.”
Ocon’s team-mate Pierre Gasly has admitted that Alpine has missed targets with its new concept of car, but says the focus has to be on finding solutions rather than bemoaning where things are at.
Source: Autosport