Pierre Gasly addressed the news that Bruno Famin is set to step down as Alpine Formula 1 Team Principal at the end of August, praising the team boss for his clear communication throughout their working relationship.
Alpine is amid a seismic shift in the way it operates in Formula 1 after a less-than-ideal first half of the 2024 campaign.
The Anglo-French outfit is preparing to cease operation of its F1 power unit development at Viry-Chatillon in favour of becoming a customer team.
As part of that process, which includes convincing the Viry staff to accept developing the Alpine road car brand rather than F1 engines, Famin will step away from the Team Principal role to focus solely on the Viry project, a duty he has balanced with running the F1 team since the midway point of the 2023 F1 season.
“Yeah, I mean, to me it’s been always, you know very clear, honest and transparent in our way of working together,” Gasly said of Famin in response to the news.
“It was appreciated for the time that we’ve had together. So I just want to thank him.
“Obviously he’s still going to remain in the Alpine family through a different role and I wish him the best with this new project.”
Speaking on the prospect of having a Mercedes power unit in the back of his Alpine F1 challenger in the not-too-distant future, gasly said “Our view is that we have only good options available. So on my side I just want to have the fastest package that will be available to us.”
The matter at Viry is a delicate situation and the strength in employee unions could very well decide the future of Alpine’s Formula 1 team.
For now, Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, and Alpine F1 Advisor Flavio Briatore appear determined to get a Mercedes deal over the line, meaning Viry’s several decades of producing Grand Prix-ready engines could be coming to an end.
With that in mind, Gasly was asked to share his thoughts on the hard-working professionals at Viry-Chatillon.
“Yeah, obviously, you know, I’m close to them, I’m working with them every single weekend, I’m going to Viry also during the year,” Gasly said.
“So I know how hard everyone is working, obviously.
“I obviously have a soft spot for them and all these people that worked and dedicated their lives to the performance of this Formula One team, not only this year but in the past few years.
“Big thanks for their contribution and obviously I’m sure I’m going to see them until before the end of the year. I just want to be thankful for their contribution to our performance.”
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