The Alpine Formula One team is the youngster in the sport’s recent history but the constructor is not shy about revealing some major ambitions for the future.
Pierre Gasly, who joined Alpine this season, emphasised these ambitions, but was not blasé to what lay ahead, citing major challenges in the light of what the already established constructors were managing.
“Even with the best will and desire to improve, sometimes you don’t find any progress,” he said, speaking out the team’s villa behind the pit lane at Yas Marina Circuit.
The driver is positive about what may lay ahead, citing “massive potential” when it comes to the 2023/2024 season.
“From what I’m seeing inside the team at the moment, we’re really trying to improve everywhere,” he added.
Gasly’s teammate, Esteban Ocon, was also slotted to speak on Thursday, but he was taken ill. He will, though, be at the track tomorrow and set to take part in the first practice session
Despite its recent arrival in F1, Alpine as a team involved with motorsports has a rich history.
The 2021 rebranding was the next step in Renault reasserting itself in the F1 sphere, following its takeover of the then Lotus team in 2016.
Currently, the Alpine drivers are sitting at 11th and 12th spot in the standings, with Gasly a handful of points ahead of his teammate.
When events at Abu Dhabi culminate, the next event in the new F1 season will be in Bahrain in almost 100 days time.
Gasly is keen to get started, saying the summer would be a busy period for Alpine and that it’s all about a positive mindset within the team, saying everyone has the “right spirit”.
“We’re really aware of our weaknesses, we’re really aware of our potential, we welcome the new season,” he said.
-
Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff waves to the crowd at the Mercedes GP Team Photo during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing arrives at the circuit on the first day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National -
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell look on at the Mercedes GP Team Photo during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit. Getty Images -
Spanish Formula One driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari talks to the media ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. EPA -
Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Getty Images -
F1 drivers, left to right, Daniel Ricciardo, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Kevin Magnussen, Logan Sargeant attend a press conference ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. EPA -
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing during the first day press conference, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National -
Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri, left, and George Russell of Mercedes during the first day press conference, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National -
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock. Getty Images -
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and AlphaTauri talks to the media. Getty Images -
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, left, and Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen attend a press conference. AFP -
Lance Stroll of Aston Martin during the first day press conference, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National -
Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. Reuters -
Mercedes' George Russell during the press conference. Reuters -
Williams' Logan Sargeant during the press conference. Reuters -
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc signs an autograph for a fan ahead of the grand prix. Reuters -
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc during the press conference. Reuters -
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen share a laugh during a press conference. AFP -
Pierre Gasly of Alpine during an interview with the press, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Victor Besa / The National
