Why Pierre Gasly's Commitment to Alpine Shocks F1 – And What's Next for the Open Seat
Pierre Gasly made waves in the Formula 1 world by signing a multi-year extension with Alpine, committing his future to the team until at least the end of 2026. The decision reflects both faith and strategy amid a period of significant flux for the team.
Alpine's Team Principal, Bruno Famin, expressed his delight and offered insights into the thinking behind retaining Gasly while letting Esteban Ocon go after five years with the team. "We all know that with Esteban, we were at the end of a cycle. It was difficult to keep both because we needed to renew our approach, like we do on the engineering side. Time to refresh the blood to improve," Famin explained.
Gasly, who outperformed Ocon by four points for P11 in last year's drivers’ standings, has made a notable impact this season too. His seven-point tally slightly outmatches Ocon’s three, contributing to his attractiveness as a driver and Alpine’s insistence on his continuance.
The Decision to Stay Amid Uncertainty
Gasly could have easily been lured by other teams amid doubts surrounding Alpine’s early season performance and substantial staff turnover. The team qualified both cars on the back row in Bahrain and saw a suite of senior staff, including the CEO and Team Principal, depart recently. However, Gasly remained pragmatic. "From the start, I always felt like my heart wanted to continue with Alpine," Gasly admitted. At least three teams are said to have approached Gasly during the period of uncertainty.
As negotiations proceeded, Alpine improved performance, and their persistence paid off. Famin pointed out, "Since Bahrain, we made quite an interesting step forward. We are still not where we want to be, but we are happy with the evolution." This progress helped solidify Gasly’s decision.
More to Achieve
Gasly’s eagerness to remain with Alpine also stems from unfinished business with the team. "I haven’t achieved anything near what I wanted to achieve. It feels like it would be a shame to stop here," he revealed. This sense of potential and connection with the French manufacturer who operates so closely to his hometown played a significant role.
Also instrumental was the trust built with Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group. Gasly highlighted this bond: "Luca and I always had a good connection. Since negotiations began, he has been very open and trustworthy, which is essential for how I work." This connection gave Gasly the confidence to tie his future with a team that he feels has the resources and ambition to reach the top.
Future Plans for the Team
With Gasly secured, the pivotal question is who will fill the second seat left vacant by Ocon. Rumors indicate that Carlos Sainz, set to leave Ferrari after 2024, is a prime target. Negotiations with Sainz’s representatives have been ongoing, reflecting Alpine's intent.
Famin remains unfazed by the remaining decision on the second driver, stating, "We are in no hurry. We have our Academy drivers, good drivers, so we have no stress at all." Among the candidates are reserve driver Jack Doohan, F2 racer Victor Martins, and Mick Schumacher.
In fact, Doohan and Schumacher are set to test a 2022-spec Alpine at the Circuit Paul Ricard next week. Their performance will provide further data points for Alpine’s decision-makers as they seek the best fit for the team’s ambitions.
Running a young driver in 2025 offers the chance to integrate and develop ahead of the new regulations in 2026. With experienced choices like Sainz and Bottas also on the table, Alpine is expected to weigh its options carefully.
Despite a rocky start to the year, Alpine’s relentless efforts behind and on the scene continue to show promise. Gasly’s recommitment is both a testament to trust in the project and a faith that Alpine can rise to become a leading team in Formula 1. The next move for their second seat will be a crucial piece of this evolving puzzle.