F1 News: Pierre Gasly Speaks Out On "Turbulent" Time At Alpine After Shocking Dismissals
Pierre Gasly managed to deliver some great numbers at AlphaTauri over the past few seasons. However, things have gotten a bit slow for the French racing driver after joining Alpine this year as he sits 12th in the drivers' standings while his teammate Esteban Ocon is two places ahead of him in 10th.
Gasly revealed to Auto Motorsport that he is yet to get through the other end of the learning curve, adding that the car is completely new to him since it was prepped with inputs from Ocon and former Alpine driver Fernando Alonso. He said:
"I still feel like I'm in a kind of learning process. Not always, but on certain topics or in communication. I wish I could say we're already at 100 per cent, but that kind of thing takes time.
"I still feel like I'm in a kind of learning process.
"Not always, but on certain topics or in communication. I wish I could say we're already at 100 per cent, but that kind of thing takes time.
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"You need clarity in communicating with the team. Sometimes we still talk past each other about what I want from the car and what they are able to give me. This Alpine is the evolution of last year's car driven by Esteban and Fernando [Alonso].
"I had no input into this car. Some things I wish for are not possible with the existing package. Nevertheless, I hope that the car will suit me better at the end of the year."
The recent exit of CEO Laurent Rossi, team principal Otmar Szafnauer, chief technical director Pat Fry, and sporting director Alan Permane, sent shockwaves across the pit lane. Gasly refrains from commenting on the departures but expresses gratitude to them for their contributions. He added:
"It's been a turbulent few weeks. It's a bit difficult for me to comment on that [the departures]. Integrating into a new team is a big step. Laurent, Otmar, Alan and Pat, who I met at the factory, certainly did their best for the team.
"Unfortunately, this season didn't go as everyone expected and we didn't make enough progress. I can only thank those who are leaving us now for the first half year and wish them the best."
