Alpine Gives Update On Pierre Gasly's Car As Qualifying Looms After Chaotic Practice
Alpine has provided an update on Pierre Gasly's car confirming that it will be extremely tight but they are hoping to have the car ready for Qualifying.
The Frenchman had a rough start to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend after his car burst into flames during the free practice session. This puts his team under immense pressure to get the car ready for the qualifying session later today, with the change in format only adding to the urgency.
Gasly was forced to stop on the track, leading to a red-flag situation that could have significant implications for the rest of the weekend. With only one free practice session before the weekend's action, any delay or setback can be costly for the drivers and teams.
The next few hours will be critical for Alpine as they work to repair Gasly's car and get him ready for the qualifying session. The team's new upgrades also add to the uncertainty, as it is unclear how many spare parts they have available.
It has since been confirmed that the fire was caused by a hydraulic leak, highlighting the challenges and risks involved in Formula 1 racing.
Despite the setback, Gasly and his team remain optimistic and focused on getting back on track. With his impressive track record and the team's talent and experience, they are determined to bounce back from this setback and compete at their best.
Taking to Twitter, Alpine explained:
"Pierre’s car was returned to the garage at approximately 15:00 local time.
"We can confirm that the chassis is intact and the team are working exceptionally hard to replace the gearbox and power unit.
"It will be tight, but we are aiming to be ready for Qualifying."
UPDATE
The Alpine team have been able to get Pierre Gasly's car ready for qualifying, so he will take part in the session.