Alpine using spring break to stock up on spare parts for Baku

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Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer says the French outfit squad is taking full advantage of the three-week break between Melbourne and Baku to stock up on spare parts for the next round in Azerbaijan.

Last weekend in Australia, both the team's cars suffered significant damage as a result of the run-in between Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon after the second restart, which left Alpine's crews with a heavy post-race workload on their hands.

But back at the team's base at Enstone, preparations are underway for the next round of racing at Baku, a street circuit that traditionally leaves little room for error.

And this year's event will feature a double dose of high damage risk as Baku will host F1's first Sprint format weekend of the season.

©Alpine

The cancellation of this year's Chinese Grand Prix which was initially schedule to take place after Melbourne has therefore offered teams a welcome respite and more time to prepare for Baku and beyond.

"The break wasn’t planned but it is a welcome break from both getting ample car parts, spares as well as when we do bring developments,” Szafnauer explained in Australia last weekend.

"You know there’s a huge effort to make enough of those parts to ensure that you can really push hard – so that definitely helps.

"And also the break allows you to plan further upgrades that you find through your simulation tools, and knowing that the break is there, you plan them a bit differently – but it definitely helps."

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Szafnauer confirmed the high-risk nature of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint weekend.

"There is more jeopardy because it’s a street race and some of the walls are pretty close," he said.

"Like I said the nice thing is we’ve got this three-week break to make some spares in order to be prepared for both the sprint race and the race in Baku.

"Hopefully it’ll all be okay and we won’t suffer in Miami."

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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.