Pierre Gasly, from the Alpine F1 team, was not surprised by their elimination in the first qualifying round in Bahrain. Gasly believes that the team will eventually recover from their current difficulties. After a disappointing performance in pre-season testing, Alpine predicted a slow start to the new season due to changes made to their car’s design. This resulted in Gasly and his teammate Esteban Ocon starting the race from the back row of the grid. Gasly acknowledges that the team’s performance was hindered by a compromised out lap. He remains optimistic about the team’s prospects for improvement but admits they are still far from where they want to be. Gasly also mentions that updates are planned for the car but does not provide further details. Despite being outperformed by other teams, Gasly highlights that Alpine used an extra set of soft tires during qualifying. He emphasizes the need for improvement in various areas and expresses confidence in the team’s internal progress. Gasly concludes by acknowledging that the start of the year will not be easy for Alpine.
In addition to the lack of performance, the French driver also revealed that he has encountered difficulties in finding the perfect balance in the front of the car, which would make him more comfortable.
“At the moment, my main focus is to achieve the desired front end in the car and get the rotation I want. Honestly, when you’re not doing well, it’s never good,” he explained.
“So, in each session, I’ve been experimenting, trying to figure out if there’s a secret technique that can unlock some potential. But so far, I haven’t found it.
“However, I’m aware that the upcoming updates will improve the balance and bring it closer to my preferences. Progress will be made.”
Gasly denied rumors that the Alpine car exceeds the minimum weight limit by up to 10 kilograms, but he acknowledges that any additional weight has an impact when margins are small.
“It’s not as much as you mentioned. So, there’s still lap time to be found in various areas. Looking at the differences, there’s work to be done,” he said.
“Now, considering the differences, every little detail matters. As you mentioned, even two kilograms of lap time is equivalent to 0.06 seconds, and that can make a difference.
“So, there are ways to improve, there’s performance to be extracted from the chassis, and there will be updates.
“It’s not the position we want to be in, but we’re all in the same situation, and we’ll strive to get the most out of it every time.”
Despite both Alpine drivers having contracts that expire at the end of 2024, Gasly expresses his full confidence in the team’s ability to turn the brand’s fortunes around.
“We need to be patient because it’s only the first qualifying session, and we’re aware that the car is not delivering its full potential at the moment,” he stated.
“So, for now, we have to wait and see if our approach was the right one.
“But I have faith in the team. I understand what they’re working on, and we know there’s room for improvement in various areas, not just in one specific department.
“So, we must be patient and objectively evaluate after a few races.”
© 2024
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton achieved another thrilling victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. With an exceptional performance, Hamilton overtook his competitors and secured first place on the podium.
The race started with a lot of excitement, with the drivers battling through each turn at high speed. Hamilton, who started in second position, showcased his skills by overtaking the race leader, Max Verstappen, and taking the lead.
Throughout the race, Hamilton maintained a steady pace and managed to distance himself from the other competitors. His team, Mercedes, also played a crucial role by executing a perfect pit stop strategy, ensuring that the driver didn’t lose time in the pits.
At the end of the race, Hamilton crossed the finish line with a comfortable advantage over the other drivers. With this victory, the British driver further solidifies himself as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history.
After the race, Hamilton expressed his gratitude to the team and fans for their support. He also highlighted the importance of continuing to work hard to maintain a strong performance in the upcoming races.
With this win, Hamilton extended his lead in the drivers’ championship and is getting closer to his eighth world title. Fans can expect more excitement in the upcoming stages of the Formula 1 season.
