Pierre Gasly has underlined that he wants to see Alpine show signs of understanding its struggles in 2024 before deciding to commit his Formula 1 future to the team.
Alpine had conceded it was braced for a challenging beginning to the latest campaign amid the decision to overhaul the car concept on its A524 from its predecessor.
However, Team Principal Bruno Famin admitted it was a “shock” Alpine locked out the last row of the grid in Bahrain, prompting revisions to the side’s technical structure.
Speaking at the launch of Alpine’s latest creation last month, Gasly reiterated that he has faith the Enstone-based squad can deliver his ambition of challenging for titles.
With his contract expiring at the end of this term, the Frenchman has dismissed the notion that Alpine’s troubles have made it harder to prove himself to potential suitors.
“I think whether you’re at the end of your contract or start of the contract it’s not a position you want to be in,” he expressed.
“I’m a competitive person, I fight to be at the front, and I don’t think anyone would appreciate that position.
“But I’ve been in F1 seven years, it’s not like this will change something over half a season racing in car that doesn’t perform and give me the potential to be right at the front.
“But [it’s] not really the contractual situation that’s frustration, just being at the back and not being in a position to fight with the guys I want to fight with.”
Asked whether it was a difficult situation to be positioned when he wants to progress in his career, he replied: “Yeah, time will tell, I don’t want to really say much.
“I’m here to drive fast and I can see the positive changes but yeah, time will tell.”
The ex-Red Bull driver asserts that Alpine must prove that it is capable of addressing its shortcomings ahead of the next regulation overhaul to convince him to remain.
“The most important for me is the understanding, understanding why we’re not competitive enough, and how to make the package faster,” he commented.
“There’s a massive regulation change coming in 2026, and understanding how to build a car, how to make a step forward, how to bring upgrades that work, how to maximise the package you’ve got, whether it’s for 24, 25, but even more important for 26.”
Now in his second season with the Anglo-French marque, Gasly has explained how his involvement within the team has strengthened as he bids to help its revival bid.
“Honestly I’m committing 100%, I’m giving absolutely everything, because I see how much the guys are pushing, and we all want to be competitive,” he added.
“Sometimes I might be on their back a lot, asking, trying to push them for answers, but what I like is they attempt to do it more and more on their own, I’m someone that will always lean into everything I can, pushing myself, gaining in all areas.
“But I’m as demanding on the people I work with and people are starting to embrace that mindset. And sometimes in tough times you’ll dig deeper and find more out of it.”
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