Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg and team Sauber record top-10 positions during practice sessions at Zandvoort.
Alpine F1 Team Faces Close Midfield Battle in Dutch Grand Prix
The Dutch Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thrilling race, with Alpine F1 Team finding themselves in the thick of the midfield battle. The team, led by Nico Hülkenberg and Oscar Piastri, had a mixed day of practice sessions.
In the second free practice session, Lance Stroll crashed at the start, disrupting the flow for many drivers. This included Piastri, who was outpaced by Hülkenberg in the session. Despite the red flags, both Alpine drivers are optimistic about refining the car setup further tomorrow.
Hülkenberg finished the first practice session in P13 and the second session in P10. He expressed satisfaction with the car's feel but noted that Friday night fine-tuning will be necessary. Piastri, on the other hand, had a positive and uncomplicated day, feeling good in the car and happy with the balance. He expects tomorrow to focus on the car's setup refinement.
Isack Hadjar had to park his Racing Bull during the second free practice session, adding to the unpredictability of the day. The field is incredibly close, with every detail counting in the midfield battle. Williams, Haas, and Aston Martin are close competitors, and Alpine needs to push to stay ahead.
Aston Martin is performing exceptionally well, according to Hülkenberg. The risk of rain is lower during the day compared to the night, but the weather could potentially disrupt setup plans, with rain forecasted for qualifying and the race. Hülkenberg expressed concern about scoring points due to the red-flagged second free practice session.
The real picture will be seen tomorrow, according to Hülkenberg. He also stated that Friday's practice sessions ran smoothly for Alpine. The current Motorsport Manager at Alpine F1 Team is Steve Nielsen, who officially started in this role on September 1, 2025. Although not a traditional team principal, Nielsen performs the responsibilities of one under Flavio Briatore, who acts as the de facto team principal despite not being an employee of Alpine or Renault.
As the team prepares for the Dutch Grand Prix, Hülkenberg and Piastri aim to build on Alpine's seventh place in the Constructors' Championship. They will need to navigate the close midfield battle and the potential weather disruptions to secure a strong finish in the race.
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