Ocon insists Alpine on top of A522 porpoising issues.

40

Esteban Ocon says he isn't fearful of suffering a bouncing ride next weekend in Bahrain onboard Alpine's new A522, insisting the Enstone squad is on top of its car's porpoising issues.

The brutal ground effects-induced vertical movement on the straights of F1's new generation cars has hit all teams in pre-season testing, with each outfit applying its own fix to the phenomenon with varying success.

However, along with McLaren, Alpine appears to have mitigated the problem without impacting its car's overall level of performance, which bodes well for the French outfit's opening race next weekend at Sakhir.

"Everybody is struggling, in the end, because it is their new cars and there is a lot to understand," Ocon told Sky Sports F1.

"We have seen some reliability issues here and there on our side once in Barcelona, but the rest was trouble-free.

"It is all going well at the moment. We've seen some bouncing from Fernando [Alonso], but we know how to fix it.

"On my days we have had none, which is good for me, because I did not need to take a paracetamol!"

Ocon suggested that fine-tuning the car's ride-height has ironed out much of the A522's porpoising problem.

"You can solve it," he said. "When the car is squatting down, it is worse, and I think the headwind at Turn 1 [in Bahrain] was not helping."

Read also: Alonso finishes with a flourish in final test in Bahrain

Although Alpine's performance in pre-season testing hasn't positioned the team among F1's favourites to take top spoils next weekend, the squad is definitely looking to win again at some point this season after Ocon's surprise triumph last year victory in Hungary.

"We will push [for another win]," said an optimistic Ocon. "It is great to work with Fernando. I am very happy to keep going [with him].

"To be learning everything again and to have that close relationship with him is mega, because we can push the team forward."

"Happy days, we keep going!"

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.