Alpine have two Grand Prix winners in their cars but 2024 to date has not seen the team’s French drivers being given a car which would demonstrate what they are capable of. Instead, Alpine finds themselves P9 in this year’s constructors’ Championship on 13 points. Williams Racing are just 3 points ahead in P8 – and looking more likely to score points on race day than Alpine. Gasly provided an insight about the current situation and what lies ahead for the rest of the season as he revealed: “There are solutions put in place over the next few races that will get us a bit more in the fight.”
Gasly was asked in Singapore prior to F1’s mini break as to whether there is anything he can do with this year’s car to improve the situation Alpine find themselves in.
“We can, yeah.” replied the 28-year-old. “There are a few things. But it won’t be enough to close the gap that we are missing. At the end of the day, if you ask me, finish 14th, I’m going to finish 11th. I absolutely don’t care. I want to be fighting top five podium race wins. I know we will get better.”
Gasly’s recent remarks have seen him speaking about his team’s chance of success in future seasons – seeing how he committed his future to Alpine. However, the winner of the 2020 Italian Grand Prix also gave his fans reason to be hopeful for this season as well.
“There are solutions put in place over the next few races that will get us a bit more in the fight. And that’s what I want to see. I want to see the car developing and getting stronger. Because it’s always going to help us in the long term with the processes we have in place. But hopefully, I know next year is more of an opportunity for us to be back closer to the front.”
F1’s newest team boss Oliver Oakes has surely also reinvigorated those in the Alpine ranks and the return of Flavio Briatore back in an F1 paddock has also generated plenty of column inches after it was announced back in June that the Italian businessman would be Alpine’s new Executive Advisor. With that in mind, Gasly was asked how it has been so far – whilst appreciating it is still early days – but what had conversations and interactions been like.
“I’m interacting very often with both of them, actually.” explained Gasly. “I must say they’re always questioning and listening to any feedback I give them. We’re on the same page. We want the team to perform. We want the team to be up front. On my side, it’s more giving feedback on what we’re missing.”
Gasly went on to explain that he knows how he can contribute: by giving feedback on what he can do; what he can’t do and the areas where he feels his team are lacking. His comments also showed that these appointments are two welcome additions to the team.
“But I think the direction is clear. The motivation is there. They’re fully dedicated to the project. They are taking it personally. And I think that’s what we need. It’s not going to happen overnight. But they’re really keen on improving the team. Hopefully we’ll see the reward of their work in a couple of months.”
With races coming thick and fast, it will be crucial for Alpine to ensure that they maximise performances on track before any major upgrades arrive ahead of season’s end. As previously said, Williams are just 3 points in front of them and with Haas already on 31 points, one can imagine that Alpine’s best possible outcome is P8 in the standings. However, things happen fast in F1 and with sprint races also offering points, should Alpine get a grip on things by as early as mid-November – it could still be a very tense conclusion to an unpredictable year.
