Pierre Gasly embarks on his second season with Alpine following a successful 2023 campaign.
Gasly recognizes that Alpine must exercise patience with its new car concept before F1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Gasly joined Alpine for his inaugural season at risk of a race ban due to accumulating 10 penalty points on his superlicence in 2022. Luckily, he managed to avoid a race ban and earned points in four out of the first six races in 2023.
In late August, Gasly achieved his first podium finish since the 2021 Azerbaijan GP. Despite starting from 12th on the grid, he drove impressively to secure third place at the Dutch GP.
Alpine aims to rebound from a disappointing 2023 season with its significantly different A524 car for 2024. The car showcases a stripped-down livery created in collaboration with Argentinian artist Felipe Pantone.
Gasly expresses confidence in his second year with the team, stating that he feels much improved. He emphasizes the positive atmosphere, attitude, and drive for improvement within the team.
The new car concept presents a challenge, but Gasly acknowledges its potential. He recognizes that the modifications in suspensions, aero, chassis, and power unit integration have a substantial impact on the car’s behavior and potential.
Gasly prioritizes performance over visual aesthetics and eagerly anticipates testing the car’s capabilities in Bahrain.
The 2024 Formula 1 calendar is the most extensive in the sport’s history, featuring 24 events over the next nine months. The season commences with the Bahrain GP on March 2, followed by the Saudi Arabian GP a week later.
The Japanese GP has been rescheduled for early April, and China makes a return to the F1 calendar after hosting its last race in 2019. The season includes three sets of three consecutive races and concludes on December 8 in Abu Dhabi.
In addition to the 24 races, there will be six Sprints at the Chinese, Miami, Austrian, Qatar, United States, and Brazilian GPs. The inclusion of Sprints adds to the physical and mental demands on drivers, necessitating them to perform at their peak.
Gasly acknowledges the significance of recovery in Formula 1, emphasizing the need to excel in all aspects, including nutrition, training, and mental preparation. With the increased number of races, drivers must find the right equilibrium to maximize their performance.
According to a source, total-motorsport.com.