Alpine concluded the 2023 Formula 1 season in sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a significant distance away from both fifth and seventh positions in terms of points. This lackluster performance was attributed to their underpowered and unimpressive car, the A523. Additionally, the team experienced a management shuffle, resulting in the departure of CEO Laurent Rossi, team boss Otmar Szafnauer, and Sporting Director Alan Permane.
Despite these setbacks, Pierre Gasly, the team’s driver, is eagerly anticipating the challenge of the new A524. The team has taken a “bold approach” with this car, as they have been striving to break away from the midfield for quite some time. Although they achieved a few podium finishes in 2023, they were unable to achieve their desired results. Gasly shared his thoughts on the new car, stating that they felt the need to embark on a new project after realizing that they had reached a plateau. While they expect the start of the year to be more challenging, they believe that the development curve will be steeper, ultimately leading to better performance.
Gasly, who has seven years of experience in Formula 1, is confident in his abilities and physical condition. He understands what areas he needs to focus on and feels prepared for the upcoming season. The team’s primary goal is to assess the performance of the new car and build from there.
The 2024 season poses a significant challenge for Gasly and all other drivers, as it will consist of 24 races, the longest in the history of the sport. Gasly has been training in Dubai to ensure he is in top shape for the demanding season. He expressed his excitement and readiness for the intense competition and emphasized the importance of building up physical capacity due to limited training time caused by extensive travel. Gasly mentioned his training sessions with fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda and how they pushed each other in the gym and enjoyed various activities together.
Gasly’s targets for the 2024 season include achieving more podium finishes and aiming for a second victory. As he enters his eighth season in Formula 1 and second with Alpine, he remains focused on performing at his best and fighting for top positions. Gasly’s ultimate goal is to contribute to the team’s success and make the most of the car he is given.
In the 2023 season, Gasly finished 11th in the F1 Drivers’ Standings with 62 points, with his best result being a third-place finish in Zandvoort.
According to the Source grandprix247.com