Pierre Gasly, the effervescent star of Alpine, exudes buoyant optimism over the team’s current performance, stating confidently, "I feel the team is in a great place" as they head toward the 2025 season. Since joining the Anglo-French outfit in 2023, Gasly claims the team is functioning at its peak, marking what he sees as a dramatic shift in fortunes compared to their sluggish start last season.
Reflecting back, Alpine began 2024 hampered by the weight of its car, which struggled so significantly during qualification stages it was hardly competitive. This led to the team occupying the last row of the grid during the Bahrain season opener, pushing both technical director Matt Harman and chief aerodynamics expert Dirk de Beer to resign amid criticism of the team’s technical direction. Reinventing itself, Alpine has made substantial changes, including the hiring of David Sanchez as executive technical director and the return of the well-known Flavio Briatore as executive advisor.
Gasly’s optimism is not unfounded. His statements about the team’s progress are underpinned by significant achievements over the past year. Alpine climbed to sixth place in the 2024 Constructors Championship after initially starting at the back, showing considerable resilience and commitment to turning their fortunes around.
"The test went well, and I must say I'm very, very excited to get started in Australia," Gasly expressed. He admitted, "over the past two years, winter testing had offered quite a lot of challenges for us as a team," but according to him, this year's pre-season testing felt different. He remarked, "I feel the team is in a great place" and emphasized how new team dynamics and personnel have contributed to forming positive momentum. The improvements from last year have seemingly carried forward, allowing him to frequently compete among the front third of the pack.
A standout moment from the previous season was the double podium achieved during the rain-soaked Sao Paulo Grand Prix, propelling Alpine’s confidence and racing spirit as they make strides toward the new season. Notably, rookie driver Jack Doohan joins Gasly for the 2025 season, taking the seat previously occupied by Esteban Ocon, who is now paired with Ollie Bearman at Haas. This brings heightened expectations for Doohan, especially during his debut at the Australian GP.
Gasly also empathizes with Doohan’s predicament, drawing parallels with his own entry to Formula One. He compared Doohan’s situation to his experience with Yuki Tsunoda, who has faced similar pressures. "Jack is slightly more prepared than Yuki was at the time," he said, favorably positioning his new team partner as he encourages him to use these challenges to find success.
Adding to the pressures surrounding Doohan, rumors have surfaced about reserve driver Franco Colapinto allegedly being lined up as his potential replacement should he underperform this season. Gasly and former team principal Guenther Steiner have been quick to condemn these rumors, insisting they stem from external speculation rather than any serious concerns within the team. Steiner expressed skepticism, noting, "I just don’t see where it came from... if there’s no official statement, I always assume someone opened their mouth not knowing what they’re saying. Jack needs to stay calm and focus on his racing. The performance will come, and he will be here to stay."
Despite these external pressures, Gasly maintains faith, underscoring the importance of camaraderie and support within the team. Through emotions and the intensity of the competition, he believes the focus should remain on enjoying their roles as F1 drivers: "We’re supposed to be here and enjoy every second of being an F1 driver, which is not always easy in this environment," he reflected. With the new team dynamics, including the leadership overhaul and effective restructuring, Alpine appears rejuvenated, and Gasly remains optimistic about their prospects.
Looking toward the coming season, Gasly is determined to contribute significantly to gaining ground among the giants of Formula One and feels confident about their standing relative to competitors like McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes, whom he expects to maintain their edge at the front of the pack. "The status quo will remain," he asserts, but also hints at the potential for Alpine to seize opportunities against teams like Aston Martin and Williams, which are also aspiring to move up the ranks.
While challenges remain—particularly competing against established front-runners and intensified battles among midfield teams—Gasly's leadership and the concerted efforts of new and current team members seem integral to rejuvenated hopes for Alpine. Gasly strongly believes, "the pieces are falling in the right places," as they prepare to launch their 2025 campaign with optimism and the determination to add more points to their tally. "I'm as excited as you guys to see where we're going to end up," he said, aligning with the anticipation surrounding his team’s newfound vigor. The season awaits, and Gasly, alongside Doohan, prepares to enter the fray, eager to showcase Alpine’s resurgence on the world's most challenging racing stages.