Pierre Gasly had to retire from the Saudi Arabian GP on the first lap due to a malfunctioning gearbox. Alpine’s performance in the 2024 F1 season has been disastrous so far, leaving them at the bottom of the rankings. Unfortunately, Gasly’s race ended shortly after it started due to a gearbox failure. The 28-year-old driver has now provided an explanation for why he had to bring his car back to the pits.
During the formation lap, Gasly experienced a problem with the gearbox. Despite this, he managed to make it to the starting grid. However, as he lined up for the race, he realized that the sixth gear and the synchronization of the other gears in his Alpine A524 were not functioning properly. As a result, Gasly had to start the race without properly synchronized gears.
Gasly could only use up to the fifth gear in his car, which left Team Enstone with no choice but to retire the vehicle. The French driver expressed his disappointment with this issue, especially considering the challenging situation Alpine is currently facing. The team had a tough time at the Saudi Arabian GP and was one of the biggest losers.
According to Gasly, the gearbox lost its sixth gear during the formation lap. He mentioned that Alpine will investigate the incident to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Despite the recent setbacks, Gasly remains optimistic about the future of the Renault Works team. He commended the efforts and dedication of the team members at Enstone and Viry. Gasly emphasized that the team is working tirelessly to improve its position in the rankings.
Gasly acknowledged that it will take time for Alpine to see the results of their current development. He reassured that the team is prepared to face the challenges ahead as they strive to enhance the performance of the Alpine A524.
Undoubtedly, Pierre Gasly and Alpine will continue to face difficulties in the first half of the 2024 season. However, a significant upgrade during the season could potentially change their fortunes. The Renault Works team still has a lot of work to do in order to address the weight and downforce issues with their 2024 car. Fans will eagerly await the team’s progress in the upcoming weeks.