Alpine placing optimism on new tools for the revival of F1

Alpine’s Mixed Season Ends With 6th Place Finish in Constructors’ Championship

Alpine had a rollercoaster season in the Formula One constructors’ championship, finishing in sixth place amidst a series of ups and downs. While the team managed to achieve two podium finishes, they also faced challenges at certain race venues.

The team is now investing heavily in new infrastructure to improve their performance. One of the major projects underway is the construction of a new simulator building, which is set to be completed soon. This state-of-the-art facility will play a crucial role in developing Alpine’s car for the 2026 season.

With increased financial resources, Alpine is also upgrading other factory tools to enhance their capabilities. Team principal Martin Harman believes that these investments will yield positive results in the near future:

“Our focus is very much on the future and the upcoming 2026 regulations. We have a comprehensive plan in place for both Enstone and Viry sites to improve our functions and capabilities,” said Harman confidently.

He further added, “We have secured ample funding to implement these improvements and equip ourselves with advanced technology that aligns with the requirements of the 2026 regulations.”

New Simulator Building Set to Transform Performance

The highlight of Alpine’s infrastructure upgrades is undoubtedly their new simulator building, which promises to revolutionize their approach towards racing simulations.

Harman expressed his excitement about this upcoming addition:

“The commissioning of our new simulator ahead of the 2026 season is truly a game-changer for us. This cutting-edge facility will be housed in an enormous building, which will also facilitate other exciting developments,” revealed Harman.

The current simulator already serves as a valuable tool for Alpine’s drivers, but it lacks the required resolution and bandwidth. The new simulator aims to address these limitations and provide drivers with enhanced confidence in correlation between simulations and real-life performance, especially considering the importance of accurate simulation data under the 2026 regulations.

Improving Precision and Eliminating Costly Mistakes

Harman acknowledged that pinpointing and addressing fundamental issues has been a challenge for Alpine in the past. However, he emphasized their recent progress in this aspect:

“We are continuously improving our processes to become more precise in identifying root causes of problems. In a cost-capped environment like Formula One, getting it right the first time is crucial,” stated Harman firmly.

Simulation plays a vital role in achieving this goal by allowing them to gain comprehensive understanding before making any changes. Harman believes that relying on accurate simulation data can help avoid costly mistakes:

“In the past, we have made certain decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information from our tools. We are now much better at scrutinizing results and constantly questioning ourselves to ensure we take the correct direction,” admitted Harman.