The Frenchman was granted Alpine’s new floor upgrade initially pencilled in for Miami, as one undertray building was fast-tracked in time for the Chinese language Grand Prix.
This new flooring options modifications to the diffuser, closely revised entrance fences, and a brand new flooring edge wing that features a slot in the direction of the rear.
Though these modifications ought to yield an uptick in efficiency, Ocon said that the general set-up of his A524 had missed the mark to interrupt into SQ2 throughout dash qualifying – and steered {that a} plethora of tweaks wanted to be made as soon as parc ferme opens once more forward of qualifying correct.
“I really feel like we did not maximise the potential of the automotive as we speak, sadly, that is most likely the primary time this 12 months that that is the case,” Ocon lamented.
“I feel there was most likely extra in it as we speak. And, with just one [practice] session, sadly we did not put all the pieces collectively.
“Some efficiency left on the facet, so it is a good factor that parc ferme opens once more so we are able to change for subsequent qualifying.
“We’ll try to race tomorrow like this early within the morning after which, after that, strive with a unique set-up within the automotive and see what we get.
“We’ll change numerous issues – till we strive that, we’re not going to know precisely that that is the correct factor to do, nevertheless it may be price a strive.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
His team-mate Pierre Gasly must wait till Miami earlier than he will get his palms on the brand new flooring, however he was way more sanguine about his probabilities with out the upgrades.
Gasly’s follow was derailed by an ERS challenge that compelled a change to his energy unit elements, however was nonetheless pleased with the stability he had and felt he had made probably the most of it throughout his run to sixteenth on Saturday’s dash grid.
“We had an issue with the ERS this morning, so principally solely managed to get solely like three laps out of the session,” stated Gasly. “And on a dash weekend we all know how necessary it was to get it proper from the beginning.
“However then the fellows managed to resolve the problem for this afternoon, change the engine and managed to get the automotive out for qualifying. In order that was good and I am very happy with the lap I put in that quali. I feel it turned out to be barely higher than we hoped.
“It is fairly difficult with out the upgraded flooring; it was a superb effort, and it got here tight to Q2. But it surely’s fairly constructive.
“I do know I am going to get these elements in Miami, and that ought to get us by means of to Q2 and get a bit additional to the factors finishes.”
