Alpine has called on Formula 1 to consider keeping the current Spring break in the future.
The cancellation of this year’s Chinese Grand Prix created an extended gap between the third round in Australia on April 2 and the next race in Baku on April 30.
That has given teams and drivers a chance to reset after testing and two events in the Middle East followed by the long trip Down Under.
Also Read:
- Alpine hopes two-part upgrade can match ‘huge leap’ by Aston Martin
- Ocon ‘convinced’ he can fight ‘one of the greats’ in Verstappen if Alpine improve
- Zhou expects a successful Chinese GP return as F1 interest grows
And with the well-being of team personnel becoming an important topic as the calendar expands, Alpine chief Otmar Szafnauer feels such an early-season break is justified.
“Maybe we should consciously do it this way in the future,” he told Motorsport Germany. “It’s nice to have a three-week break now.
“I know the season has just started. But it’s not just about the start of the season, because a lot of people have been working hard over the winter preparing the car for testing and then the races.
“Then in August, there’s another break, that could be a way forward.”
iS iT tImE tO rAcE yEt? ?#Alpine #F1 pic.twitter.com/AL4IkVU3Iv
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) April 16, 2023
This year’s Bahrain GP was the earliest season opener in 20 years, taking place on March 5, while the final race in Abu Dhabi is scheduled for November 26.