Pierre Gasly insisted Flavio Briatore is willing to “make changes” to put Alpine in a “better place” in Formula 1 amid the news that the team has demoted Jack Doohan.
Briatore was summoned back to the Renault-owned squad last June as an Executive Advisor in response to Alpine enduring a nightmare start to the previous season.
Renault CEO Luca de Meo elected to recall Briatore, who was at the helm the last time that the team celebrated championship success with Fernando Alonso in 2006.
The veteran Italian has since possessed an eminent role in the ongoing restructuring at the team, which included obtaining Franco Colapinto’s services from Williams.
Having disclosed that he would ensure Colapinto lands a permanent drive, Briatore is reported to have instigated the choice to drop Doohan to promote the Argentine.
READ MORE – Franco Colapinto to replace Jack Doohan at Alpine from Imola
Prior to the swap being confirmed, Gasly pinpointed that Briatore is prepared to commit to ruthless decisions in order to bolster the Anglo-French marque’s prospects.
“He’s pushing the team in a very impressive way, trying to get the max out of any department, and really trying hard to put the team in a better place,” Gasly told media including Motorsport Week.
“He’s come with a lot of experience, a lot of network, someone that makes changes, and sometimes you’ve got to be pushed and challenged, and that’s what he does all the time.
“I think he’s brought a lot of good stuff to the team.
“Obviously it’s not a sport where things are going to change over two or three months. We need a bit of time, but he’s clearly pushing everybody in the right direction.”
Alpine making ‘a lot of progress’ with Briatore
Alongside signing Colapinto, Briatore also spearheaded the call to scrap plans to continue using Renault engines in 2026 to revert to customer Mercedes power units.
Gasly, who believes the impending regulation overhaul could propel him into title contention, has expressed that Alpine is making positive progress in the background.
Asked to elaborate, the Frenchman explained: “Just challenging the process and the way we’re doing things and questioning whether we’re doing things in the best way possible.
“We do a lot of great things, but this is a sport where there’s a lot of evolution, and you’ve always got to have some sort of reflection about what we do, and how to keep up with the technology and bring the team forward.
“I think he’s working well with the guys, and I think overall in the background there’s a lot of progress which is being made.”
READ MORE – Alpine reveals driving force behind Jack Doohan-Franco Colapinto F1 driver change
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Of course he would say that if he wants to keep his seat .