Alpine set out season goals and bring on Zidane

LONDON: Renault-owned Alpine set out their goals for the Formula One season on Thursday (Feb 16) before unveiling French soccer great Zinedine Zidane as a surprise signing.

The World Cup winner and former Real Madrid coach was introduced at the launch of the new A523 car as a global ambassador for the brand and to help promote equal opportunities.

"I am very happy to be here today and happy to be part of the Alpine team," Zidane told the surprised audience in a former newspaper printing site in London's Docklands.

French driver Pierre Gasly, another new signing as team mate to established compatriot Esteban Ocon, races with the number 10 and had to admit he was only the best non-retired number 10 in the building.

"He's been one of my idols since I was a kid," he told reporters. "I started playing football at five and just wanted to wear number 10, his jersey every time I was going to practice and training.

"Just to see him as an ambassador today and go to spend some time backstage before the event, I just attacked him with millions of questions about his career."

Britain's double Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams was also appointed as a mentor to coach young drivers and raise awareness of diversity.

Ocon and Gasly, who replaces departed double world champion Fernando Alonso, were given a clear target - defending fourth place overall as a bare minimum and closing the huge gap to champions Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Alpine managed to secure fourth overall in 2022 after a season-long battle with McLaren, but the 342-point gap between them and third-placed Mercedes left no illusions.

"The gap to third was big and we've got to close that gap," said team principal Otmar Szafnauer.

"In order to so we must develop at a higher rate