The Latest Breaking News from Alpine

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly made heavy contact with the wall after they touched following the final grid restart in Melbourne.

The leafy glades of Imola’s public park play host this weekend to the opening round of the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, and the two races – one on Saturday, one on Sunday – will properly capture the attention of single-seater aficionados and talent spotters.

The funky-looking crossover surprises with its narrow 205/55 R19 Michelin e-Primacy tires.

The Dutchman had a comfortable lead when Kevin Magnussen crashed and the debris trail he left led race director Niels Wittich to call for a red flag with three laps to go.

Alpine avoided having to replace Gasly for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as the Frenchman escaped without receiving the penalty points which would mean he has to miss a race

In the climax to a chaotic and controversially handled race, Gasly had lined up fifth for the second red-flag restart but locked up into Turn 1 to avoid clipping Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin.

Lap-by-lap report: Three red flag stoppages disrupted a controversial race, with Max Verstappen winning the Australian GP to take the championship lead

Red Bull’s world champion claims 22nd career pole and first in Australia as George Russell and Lewis Hamilton line up just behind

After Friday's rain-affected FP2, Saturday's final practice session predominantly took place on a dry Albert Park circuit despite the threatening Melbourne clouds, although a morning drizzle had further washed away the rubber that had been built up over the weekend.