When Pierre Gasly seized the opportunity to join Alpine in 2023, it seemed to be the perfect move amidst the chaos of the driver market caused by Fernando Alonso’s deal with Aston Martin. Alpine, although not a leading team, was in fourth place in the championship and one of the few fully integrated teams in Formula 1. For Gasly, who was still rebuilding after his brief stint with Red Bull, it was the best chance he could have.
However, starting his second season with Alpine in the slowest car on the grid must be incredibly frustrating for Gasly. When I asked him about it in Melbourne last weekend, he acknowledged that it’s not good for his career to be stuck at the back of the pack when he should be progressing.
Gasly then explained that he signed with Alpine after a season where they finished in fourth place. Unfortunately, last year’s performance was disappointing and they failed to close the gap to the top three teams. This year, the continuity of their previous work is lacking and the car is not performing well.
Despite the challenges, Gasly sees many positive changes within the team in terms of work approach, attention to detail, and mentality. He believes it is possible to have a competitive car with the current team, but they need to find solutions and make it happen.
At 28 years old, Gasly is considered in the middle age of F1, especially compared to drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, who continue to excel in their 40s. When a driver enters their fourth decade, team bosses may perceive them as reaching their expiration date.
The situation with Gasly serves as a warning to everyone in the 2025 driver market. It reminds us that there are no guarantees when choosing a team in Formula 1. Even Red Bull, the obvious choice, has uncertainties surrounding its new internal power unit for 2026.
Gasly is aware of the risks and reportedly has an option in his contract for 2025 that allows him to leave if the team’s results are poor. This means he may be free to move to another team next year. However, as he is not a contender for the top teams, he faces a tough decision if he loses confidence in Alpine. He may find himself in a hopeless situation at 30 years old in the first year of the new regulations in 2026.
The progress Alpine makes in the coming months, especially with a major upgrade expected for Suzuka, will be crucial in influencing Gasly’s plans for next year. He emphasizes the importance of understanding his current situation and finding solutions in preparation for the significant regulatory changes in 2026.
Regardless of what happens for the rest of 2025, it is unlikely that Alpine will fare better than their disappointing sixth place in the constructors’ championship last season. With changes in technical leadership, the team is once again in a rebuilding phase and has much to prove.
If Gasly were to consider leaving Alpine, it is not clear which team would be a better option. Alpine’s power unit project is progressing well and being with a factory team, even if they are struggling, has its advantages. Gasly recognizes the benefits of being with a manufacturer and believes there are no limits to what they can achieve.
At the end, Gasly faces a difficult decision to stay or move on. Both choices have their merits, but there are risks involved. It is logical for Alpine to want to keep Gasly, considering his potential. However, it could also be detrimental to his career if he fails to make a successful move to a rival team that surpasses Alpine not only in 2025, but also in the future.
Gasly’s current situation serves as a reminder that choosing the right team to jump to is not an easy decision, even with multiple offers on the table.
© 2024
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