P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pierre Gasly has confirmed rival talks “here and there” before ultimately landing on extending his stay at Alpine, but concedes results have not been what he “dreamed of” with the team.
Pierre Gasly acknowledged Alpine’s recent underperformance influenced his contract talks, as the results did not meet his expectations. The premature announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in February accelerated the driver market discussions, prompting Gasly to consider Alpine’s struggles at the start of the season. Despite extending his contract with Alpine until 2026, Gasly admitted he joined the team with the ambition to compete at the top of Formula 1, a goal currently distant due to Alpine’s decline from a fourth-place finish in 2022. Gasly and Esteban Ocon saw Alpine slip down the constructor standings in the previous season after finishing fifth. Gasly emphasized the importance of looking ahead in contracts, referencing early market movements triggered by Hamilton’s decision. He expressed optimism about Alpine’s potential for improvement and his commitment to the team’s future in the upcoming F1 regulations.
