After a difficult couple of seasons at Alpine where the team has finished only 6th in the constructors’ standings in both 2024 and 2023, Pierre Gasly has admitted that the team is now in “a much better place” compared to where they used to be.
This follows a number of changes at the Enstone squad, one of which is the addition of advisor Flavio Briatore, who is keen to push Alpine back into championship contention after a brilliant end to the 2024 season.
Talking to Motorsport.com, the Frenchman gave his thoughts going into the Australian Grand Prix.
”Yeah, I must say I’m feeling, I’m feeling good, you know, because obviously, over the past two years, winter testing had offered quite a lot of challenges for us as a team and I think going this year in Bahrain, it felt like we, we started off, you know, in a much better place.
“I haven’t tried to read too much into all the data, etc. I know there’s tons of stuff out, but when you know that 10 kilos can make such a big difference, I think what’s sure is that it’s going to be a very tight season, whether it’s for the fight at the top… Top four, I think will remain as they are.
“I believe it’s going to be quite tight status quo, so the question is how much is that gap in between the two groups, which hopefully has reduced a bit, which will mean we were able to maybe challenge on more occasions.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Looking forward to the Grand Prix this weekend after a strong off-season physically and mentally. Pierre continued:
“The test went well and I must say I’m very, very excited to get started in Australia. Felt good all winter. I had a very good winter physically, mentally. I feel the team is in a, in a great place.
“New people in the team. The current ones are all kind of like supporting a very positive dynamic and momentum from the end of last year. So it just feels like all the pieces are falling in the right places.”
The team achieved a double podium during a wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix last year, allowing them to rocket to 6th on the constructors’ standings. This has clearly filled them with confidence as they head into 2025 with a renewed spirit and rookie Jack Doohan.
