When Pierre Gasly took the opportunity to join Alpine in 2023, it seemed like the perfect move amidst the driver-market chaos caused by Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin deal. Alpine, although not a front-runner, was fourth in the championship and one of the few fully integrated teams in Formula 1. For Gasly, who was still rebuilding after his short-lived stint with Red Bull, it was the best chance he could get.
However, starting his second campaign with Alpine in the slowest car on the grid must be incredibly frustrating for Gasly. When I asked him about it in Melbourne last weekend, he acknowledged that it’s not good for his career to be stuck at the back when he should be progressing forward.
Gasly then explained that he signed with Alpine after a season where they finished fourth. Unfortunately, last year’s performance was disappointing, and they were unable to close the gap to the top three teams. This year, the continuity of their previous work is lacking, and the car is not performing well.
Despite the challenges, Gasly sees a lot of positive changes within the team in terms of their approach to work, attention to detail, and mentality. He believes it’s possible to have a competitive car with the current team, but they need to find solutions and make it happen.
At 28 years old, Gasly is considered to be in F1 middle age, especially compared to drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton who continue to excel in their 40s. Once a driver enters their fourth decade, team bosses may perceive them as reaching their sell-by date.
Gasly’s situation serves as a warning for everyone in the 2025 driver market. It reminds us that there are no guarantees when it comes to choosing a team in Formula 1. Even Red Bull, the obvious choice, has uncertainties surrounding its new in-house power unit for 2026.
Gasly is aware of the risks and reportedly has an option in his contract for 2025 that allows him to leave if the team’s results are poor. This means he may be free to move to another team next year. However, since he is not a contender for top drives, he faces a difficult decision if he loses faith in Alpine. He could find himself stuck in a hopeless situation at the age of 30 in the first year of the new regulations in 2026.
The progress Alpine makes in the coming months, particularly with a major upgrade expected for Suzuka, will be crucial in influencing Gasly’s plans for next year. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their current situation and finding solutions in preparation for the significant regulation changes in 2026.
Regardless of what happens in the rest of 2025, it’s unlikely that Alpine will perform better than their underwhelming sixth-place finish in the constructors’ championship last season. With changes in technical leadership, the team is once again in a rebuilding phase and has much to prove.
If Gasly were to consider leaving Alpine, it’s unclear which team would be a better option. Alpine’s power unit project is progressing well, and being with a factory team, even if they are struggling, has its advantages. Gasly recognizes the benefits of being with a manufacturer and believes there are no limits to what they can achieve.
Ultimately, Gasly faces a difficult decision of whether to stay or move on. Both choices have their merits, but there are risks involved. It’s logical for Alpine to want to retain Gasly, considering their potential. However, it could also be detrimental to his career if he fails to make a successful move to a rival team that outperforms Alpine not just in 2025, but in the future as well.
Gasly’s current situation serves as a reminder that choosing the right team to jump to is not an easy decision, even with multiple offers on the table.