After topping the timesheets in free practice 1, Alpine driver Pierre Gasly secured a P9 start for the Saudi Arabian GP. With only six points scored so far this season, Alpine find themselves in desperate need of results to improve their standings in the Constructors’ championship.
Strong free practice showing, but Jeddah proves tricky
Although the Frenchman performed remarkably so far in this Saudi Arabian GP, locking down a top 10 in all free practice sessions, he is hesitant when it comes to racing on this track. His Alpine machine does not respond as well to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as it did to the Sakhir track last Sunday, he claimed.
“To take up a top 10 on this track, I think coming here we knew it would be slightly more difficult than Bahrain, so definitely positive to be in Q3 and to show some good pace throughout the whole weekend, so I think that’s what we need to remember from that quali[fying]”
Nevertheless, Gasly expects to challenge the cars ahead for track positions.
“I think for tomorrow we should be in the mix as well, in the fight with Carlos [Sainz].”
Tyres pose persistent challenge
Speaking in his media session after the Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying, Gasly complained about his Alpine’s tyres. He exposed that there are details the team can improve on.
“Tyres in general are extremely difficult, and we got it right in Q2, not quite in the other sessions. We’ll review, but yeah, it’s always a few details that can be better.”
Quickly into the qualifying session, the Alpine pilot noticed a lingering unease in the front right tyre. Promptly reacting, he pitted.
“No, I just felt straight away there was something not quite right with the front right tyre when I started to turn, so yeah, I mean it’s obviously a very tight pit lane, quick reactions, and unfortunately these things can happen.”
Team beginning to understand an unpredictable A525
After a few underwhelming weekends, the Alpine team have seemingly gotten a better sense of their car. The main issue they are now facing is tyre management. Gasly however seemed to remain positive.
“I think we managed to understand this car a bit better and to put it in a sweeter spot, so I think there is a lot down to tyres, which are very difficult from track to track and conditions to conditions, it’s just extremely difficult.
“I think we managed to overall do a strong job as a team and obviously there are always a few things you can improve, but overall it seems like we’re building a good momentum.”
Yet the 29-year-old driver acknowledged that the A525 is not easy to operate: “I think the car has been quite difficult to drive”. While the team has optimized the set-up to the best of their abilities, Gasly continued explaining that the Alpine machine is hardly reliable.
“But we went quite light on downfalls and we know that’s the way to go for us around this track, and yeah in all this high speed corner it makes it quite unpredictable and quite tricky, so I would not say I’ve been extremely comfortable, but let’s say we’ve set up the car in a way that we know overall is the fastest for the package we’ve got around here.”
P9 start offers confidence boost for Alpine
Starting P9 on the grid is highly encouraging for the team around this typically challenging Jeddah Corniche Circuit for Alpine. Lauding Alpine’s work, Gasly testified to the encouragement this Saudi Arabian GP top 10 is.
“Jeddah is usually one which can be quite tricky for us and to show that we can be in the top 10 here really I think brings a good boost of confidence for the team and just shows we’re doing some good work.”
