Gasly: Dutch GP podium shows Alpine in "right direction" after F1 manager exits
Pierre Gasly has said his podium in the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix is further proof the Alpine Formula 1 team is heading in the “right direction” following its management turmoil.
French driver Gasly finished fourth on the road in a chaotic rain-hit race at Zandvoort but a pitlane speeding penalty for Sergio Perez bumped him up to third. The result marks Alpine’s second top-three classification in as many rounds, with Gasly also ranking third in the Belgian sprint race.
This brace of headline results follows immediately after team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane - an Enstone veteran of 34 years - parted company following differences of opinion with senior management at owner Renault over the squad’s direction. Chief technical officer Pat Fry is also off to Williams.
In addition, Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was moved aside to work on “special projects”, with former FIA staffer Bruno Famin taking over the motorsport operation alongside his ongoing role leading the Viry-based F1 engine programme.
Gasly reckoned his podium behind Fernando Alonso and dominant Zandvoort winner Max Verstappen proved once again that Alpine was heading in the “right direction”.
He told French broadcaster Canal+: “We need to keep working, keep improving the car and work this way until the end of the year.
“I'm glad to see that things are falling into place within the team, we're learning to work better and better together. It's going in the right direction, and we proved it again today.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Photo by: Alpine
Having started 12th, Gasly’s strong result was predicated on pitting for intermediate tyres at the end of the opening lap in response to a shower as the lights went out. The majority of the grid took longer to respond, pitting at the end of the second tour.
Gasly added he “immediately understood” what was at stake at the time of the first cloud burst, in a race that was later red flagged for 43 minutes owing to another downpour.
He said: “We had to make extremely important decisions.
“Coming out of the last corner on lap one, I immediately understood that there was a big opportunity for us, so I asked the team to pit straightaway, and it paid off.
“Then, we had a car that worked well today; I managed to fight with the Ferrari, to stay rather close to Alonso.”
He added: “Many things happened, but you had to stay calm. I am really happy with the team's work and what they achieved.”
Susie Wolff blasts FIA for 'misleading' and 'unfounded' probe
Susie Wolff blasts FIA for 'misleading' and 'unfounded' probe Susie Wolff blasts FIA for 'misleading' and 'unfounded' probe
FIA ends investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff
FIA ends investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff FIA ends investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season
Why Alpine changed an F1 team that was "not daring" enough
Why Alpine changed an F1 team that was "not daring" enough Why Alpine changed an F1 team that was "not daring" enough
Ocon switches to “war mode” after “wasted opportunity” in F1 2023
Ocon switches to “war mode” after “wasted opportunity” in F1 2023 Ocon switches to “war mode” after “wasted opportunity” in F1 2023
The concerning questions raised by Alpine’s latest F1 upheaval
The concerning questions raised by Alpine’s latest F1 upheaval The concerning questions raised by Alpine’s latest F1 upheaval
Porsche ‘ironing out flaws’ for endurance races, says Tandy
Porsche ‘ironing out flaws’ for endurance races, says Tandy Porsche ‘ironing out flaws’ for endurance races, says Tandy
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
Ducati finds it “strange” that Aprilia, KTM are getting MotoGP concessions in 2024
Ducati finds it “strange” that Aprilia, KTM are getting MotoGP concessions in 2024 Ducati finds it “strange” that Aprilia, KTM are getting MotoGP concessions in 2024
Rossi “upset” to lose Gulf 12 Hours victory shot after bizarre pedal issue
Rossi “upset” to lose Gulf 12 Hours victory shot after bizarre pedal issue Rossi “upset” to lose Gulf 12 Hours victory shot after bizarre pedal issue
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title The lax F1 engine policy that BMW exploited for Piquet’s second title
The rise of a new F1 superpower
The rise of a new F1 superpower The rise of a new F1 superpower
How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker
How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker How McLaren revitalised a hybrid lemon into an F1 history-maker
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top The gizmo-laden Williams F1 car that allowed Prost to retire on top
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.