Pierre Gasly praises the leadership of Oliver Oakes and Flavio Briatore as Alpine prepare for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Following a difficult start to the 2024 Formula 1 season, Alpine introduced sweeping management changes in an effort to improve their fortunes. In the wake of leadership changes, the team improved dramatically in the latter half of the season. With the team targeting further development in 2025, Pierre Gasly praises the changes.
Speaking at the F1 75 season launch event in London, Gasly shared his feelings on Oliver Oakes and Flavio Briatore. The Frenchman praised the team’s 2024 turnaround citing hard work from all departments within the team.
“I think having a bit of stability, I definitely don’t mind it,” he said. “Because since I arrived it’s been a bit rocky and unstable.
“I mean, I’m very pleased, since [Oakes] and Flavio [Briatore] joined the team, you can clearly see the mindset and the spirit of the team. It’s heading in the right direction. I think the processes and all the departments are really being challenged and delivering the best they can.”
He continued to highlight the drive to win within the team, both from management and other members of the team. The Frenchman also reaffirmed that the Enstone based outfit are moving in the right direction.
“I think as a team, we showed last year, we started extremely bad, looking at the performance in the first few races. We still managed to turn things around in a way which was very impressive. Since my first season in F1, I’ve never seen such evolution out all year, and it definitely shows we’re making progress.
“There’s still a long way to go, but Flavio is a competitor, he’s in Formula 1 to win. I’m in Formula 1 to win. Oli’s in Formula 1 to bring the team to the top and also to win. It’s going to take the time we need, but definitely, as a team, I can see a lot of positivity and that we’re going in the right way.”
When pressed further on the role of Briatore and what he brings to Alpine, Gasly lauded the Italians leadership. He also highlighted his connections with his illustrious career both in and outside of Formula 1.
Having previously led Renault to multiple championships in the 2000s, Briatore’s experience is invaluable. The Enstone based outfit secured both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in both 2005 and 2006 under the Italian’s leadership.
“I’m not with him every single day, but I can tell he’s bringing leadership,” Gasly replied. “That’s what we need. On a Formula 1 team, you need to have a leader who knows exactly where to bring his group.
“With 1,500 employees, we all need to be leaders, drivers included, but especially from the top management. He’s got experience in Formula 1, he’s got incredibly good connections, whether it’s on the technical side or whether it’s on the management side, in terms of sponsors.
“I think he’s been in the sport long enough to understand how it works, and he’s brought Alpine, or Enstone, already to the top. Times have changed, but his dedication and commitment and motivation to make it happen again hasn’t changed. This is something very important, which I’m very glad to see. It’s a very clear vision, which is important.”
