Alpine pace better than results indicate

In the first event of the season in Bahrain, Alonso finished ninth, two places behind team mate Esteban Ocon, after a less than optimum race that was compromised by engine issues and his tyre strategy.

Last weekend in Saudi Arabia the two Alpines battled for sixth place in the early stages, and while Ocon ultimately just beat McLaren’s Lando Norris to the position, Alonso retired with an as yet unidentified drive issue.

In contrast to Bahrain, Alpine outpaced Alfa Romeo…