Pierre Gasly has delivered a sobering assessment of Alpine’s position in Formula 1, admitting that the sport’s leading teams remain “in another league” despite Alpine’s remarkable turnaround in the second half of the 2024 season.
The Frenchman’s candid remarks come as Alpine reflects on a turbulent year, one that began disastrously but concluded with a renewed sense of optimism. Despite early struggles, a series of late-season upgrades helped the team salvage a respectable sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
A Rocky Start Turns Into a Late Surge
Alpine’s 2024 campaign started inauspiciously, with the A524 failing to score a single point in the first five rounds due to an underdeveloped car concept. By the autumn break, the Enstone-based squad languished in ninth place, seemingly adrift.
However, the introduction of significant upgrades in Austin transformed the A524 into a competitive package. Alpine amassed 52 points in the final six races, capped by a stunning double podium in Brazil’s wet conditions. Gasly himself achieved four top-10 finishes during this stretch, signaling a resurgence that has bolstered the team’s hopes heading into 2025.
“I would say it was a very disappointing start to the season,” Gasly admitted. “We had a rough winter, didn’t manage to get the car in the place we wanted to start in Bahrain. But once you get the tools you have at the start of the year, you’ve got to work your best way with it.”
Gasly praised the team’s ability to diagnose and address its weaknesses mid-season, crediting their efforts for the dramatic turnaround. “I must say I’m definitely more confident than ever going into ’25 with a clear idea of where we’re heading. The changes we’re making are the right ones, and that just brings confidence to all of us.”
Leadership Shake-Up: A New Dawn at Alpine
Alpine’s poor start prompted sweeping changes within its management structure. Technical Director Matt Harman was replaced by David Sanchez, who arrived from Ferrari, while former Renault stalwart Flavio Briatore returned as an advisor. Additionally, Oliver Oakes took the reins as team boss, signaling a fresh approach for the team.
“So there have been a lot of changes,” Gasly explained. “I think a lot of positive changes internally, which are not very obvious from the outside. But I think we’re shaping up to be a much better team at the start of ’25 compared to where we were a couple of months ago.”
Still Chasing the Big Four
While Alpine’s late-season improvements were significant, Gasly acknowledged that the gap to the sport’s top teams—Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren—remains daunting. Aston Martin, who finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, ended the season a staggering 374 points behind fourth-placed Mercedes, highlighting the chasm Alpine must bridge.
“You know, like looking at the top four, it still feels like they are in a different league, especially come race day,” Gasly conceded. “But we’ll start by hoping to close that gap and, hopefully, see us able to fight more consistently in the top 10 and the top five on some occasions.”
2025: Hope and Realism
Gasly’s reflections offer a tempered optimism for Alpine’s prospects under the current regulations. While breaking into the top four may be unrealistic in 2025, Alpine’s late 2024 form suggests the team is moving in the right direction.
With a restructured leadership, a clearer development path, and momentum from their strong finish, Alpine is positioning itself to be a more consistent points-scoring contender in the upcoming season. But the question remains: Can they ever truly challenge F1’s elite?
