Pierre Gasly of Alpine F1 Team has acknowledged that it will be crucial for him to remain with a car manufacturer as Formula 1 prepares for its next set of rules. Gasly made the decision to leave the Red Bull team at the end of 2022 in order to join Alpine, which is owned by Renault and will see him replace the departing Fernando Alonso. While Alpine had a strong start to the current ground effect regulations, finishing fourth in the Constructors’ standings, they dropped to sixth place last season. Despite a slow start to 2024 with their redesigned car, Gasly remains optimistic about Alpine’s prospects, believing that there is untapped potential in their partnership with a manufacturer. He emphasized the importance of representing an engine manufacturer during the upcoming regulation change, as it allows for more freedom and resources in development. Gasly expressed confidence in Alpine’s ability to invest and overcome any obstacles they face in the future. Alpine has promised to introduce upgrades in the coming months to address their disappointing start to the season, starting with minor ones for the upcoming race. Gasly has emphasized that Alpine’s performance for the rest of the season will play a significant role in his decision to continue with the team. He emphasized the importance of understanding their current situation and the concept behind their car, as well as preparing for the challenge posed by the regulation change in 2026.
“It’s not that our car concept is ineffective and we lack competence, but it is crucial for us to be able to recognize and devise solutions.”
Gasly, who joined Alpine with the goal of achieving race victories, acknowledges that the team’s decline has been difficult to accept.
However, the Formula 1 race winner remains confident that there have been changes within the organization that will ultimately benefit Alpine’s long-term performance on the track.
When confronted with the notion that his career is being harmed by being at the back of the grid, Gasly responded, “That’s a valid point! It’s not an easy question to address.
“You mentioned it yourself, I signed with Alpine after a season where they finished fourth. Last year was disappointing overall in terms of performance as we failed to narrow the gap to the top three and slipped down the order.
“This year is different. It doesn’t reflect the progress we made last year. Unfortunately, the car isn’t well-suited for the current circumstances.
“However, behind the scenes, there have been numerous positive changes in our approach to work, attention to detail, and team mentality. I see many encouraging signs. Yet, these improvements don’t immediately translate into performance. No one wants to drive an uncompetitive car, and that’s not what I desire either.
“But I firmly believe that it’s achievable with the current team we have. That’s why we must find the solutions and the means to make it a reality.”