Pierre Gasly has explained his decision to sign with Alpine’s Formula 1 team long-term, saying that he sees “huge potential” in the Esntone-Viry squad.
Alpine’s 2024 campaign kicked off in tumultuous circumstances arriving in Bahrain with arguably the slowest package.
However, three consecutive weekends in the points have shown signs of improvement and whilst Esteban Ocon has elected to move elsewhere in 2025, Gasly has chosen to stay with the Anglo-French Alpine team for next year and beyond.
The Frenchman explained that his decision to stay is based on what lies ahead, rather than the poor results that Alpine has had to endure up until its recent improvement.
“It definitely hasn’t been the results so far that I’ve dreamed of with the team but I definitely believe there’s a huge potential,” Gasly said.
“I’ve seen a lot of positive signs happening inside the team not only at the track but also back at the factory.
“I followed closely also the development for 2026, which to me was the most important for my next contract because we start into a new regulation and then yeah it was a constant conversation, very open and the team obviously showed from day one a lot of interest and the desire to work with me, which is something very important to me, to work with people that are definitely pushing hard to get you and want to get you on the on the project.”
Gasly noted that Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin played a “big part” in convincing him to stay at the team as he evaluated how the team responded back at the factory regarding technical recruitment after the teams poor start to the season.
David Sanchez now leads a three-pronged technical structure and controversial figure Flavio Briatore has returned to Esntone as an Executive Advisor.
However, rumours have been circling that de Meo could either sell the team or look to cease its plans to produce a 2026 power unit and become a customer F1 outfit instead.
Gasly shot down these rumours and said the commitment from Renault and de Meo is abundant.
“I don’t fully understand the [stories about the] commitment from Renault because it’s a lot of news out there, but I have a constant conversation with Luca pretty much almost weekly and it’s been very clear, and I think it’s been very clear in the media that his goal in F1 is to bring the team and he’s committed 100% with Alpine it,” Gasly said.
“So it’s never really been a question mark on my side and I know how committed as a brand with Renault, with Alpine and I know also how much belief they’ve got in the team and how much belief I have in the guys that that we have in Enstone and in Viry.”
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