Pierre Gasly, who joined Alpine in 2023, has smoothly integrated into the team despite significant internal changes. With senior personnel shake-ups and a less competitive 2024 car, Gasly remains optimistic about the future.
Gasly’s arrival at Alpine was marked by a period of major upheaval within the Enstone-based squad. The team saw the return of Flavio Briatore as an advisor and the appointment of Oliver Oakes from Hitech as team principal. Despite these changes, Gasly has extended his contract and is prepared to lead the team forward, especially with Esteban Ocon’s move to Haas in 2025.
“At the end of the day it’s something that was quite natural,” Gasly shared. “I’m very driven, focused on my work, and strive to be close to the people I work with. I’m very demanding of myself and expect the same from my colleagues.”
Throughout his first season, Gasly has fostered a trustful and efficient environment within the team. He emphasized the importance of transparency and open communication in building this trust. “The team was very good at giving me the freedom and transparency needed to build trust initially. They were open about how they work and what they like, which helped us find a healthy middle ground,” Gasly explained.
Gasly has always valued understanding the intricacies of his car and the decisions made regarding it. “I am someone that likes information,” he said. “I like to understand what’s going on and why we’re doing things a certain way.”
The team’s respect for Gasly’s need for space and freedom has allowed him to perform his best both on and off the track. “I need my space to perform at my best,” he stated. “The team has been very accommodating in this regard.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 regulations, Gasly opted to stay with Alpine, regardless of who his future teammate might be. Building a strong, cohesive team is essential for Gasly, much like the successful partnerships seen with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari or Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
“It’s no secret why you see guys like Lewis working so long with the same race engineer,” Gasly noted. “You build that trust and communication process where no one is afraid to speak the truth, whether it’s good or bad.” This trust, he believes, is critical in making the right choices and finding those last few hundredths of performance.
Reflecting on the challenges faced, Gasly acknowledged that last year wasn’t ideal despite achieving three podium finishes. This year has been tougher, but he appreciates the team’s efforts. “I’m sure that with our current mentality, there’ll be a turnaround, and we’ll be able to get the performance out of the team,” he concluded.
Pierre Gasly is committed to guiding Alpine through challenging times by fostering trust, transparency, and open communication within the team. His leadership and dedication are crucial for Alpine’s future success, especially as they navigate upcoming regulatory changes and strive to improve their performance.
