Ninth in the World Championship in 2021 and author of a podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly was one of the strong men in the middle of the pack last year. And if the Frenchman has scored two finishes in the top 10 in three attempts in 2022, the performance of his AlphaTauri are not as brilliant as before, the team not having been able to pull out of the game with the introduction of new Technical Regulations in the premier category.
But all is not lost for Gasly and AlphaTauri since the structure is preparing to take advantage of the return of Formula 1 to the Old Continent with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to update the AT03. And according to Gasly, the developments in his squad will let him know what to expect for the rest of the season.
“We’ll have to get some new parts on the car and it’s not like we’re really slow”explained the Frenchman. “I don’t think we miss him very much but we have to find solutions if we want to compete with the others. Personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing what it will bring. It’s a new car, [ce sont] new rules. We know it’s all regarding development this season. Teams that manage to develop their cars faster than others will have a better season. I think it’s a big test for us and hopefully it will give us the expected performance.”
Traditionally, it is by returning to Europe that the teams reveal their first evolutions. But this year there will possibly be two different approaches at Imola given the weekend format. Including a sprint race determining the starting grid, the Grand Prix has only one hour of free practice before the setting up of the Parc Fermé. This therefore leaves little time for the teams to evaluate the new parts, which is why some, like Ferrari, prefer to wait for the moment.
AlphaTauri currently sits eighth in the constructors’ standings and is only ahead Williamswho scored a point in Australia, and Aston Martin, whose counter is still blank. Although teams like McLaren et Alpine have already taken a little lead on AlphaTauri, Gasly remains optimistic regarding the possibility of raising the bar.
“Obviously the car will develop over the next few weeks but I trust the team and I trust the improvements they will make.”added the Frenchman. “Compared to our main opponents, [le GP d’Australie] was slightly more difficult because McLaren took a big step forward and Alpine too, but I think we can be happy to have scored points.”
Interview by Andrew van Leeuwen
