What Red Bull lessons is Gasly now using at Alpine?
General
Pierre Gasly made the switch from AlphaTauri to Alpine last winter. The last time he switched to a team unknown to him was in 2019. The Frenchman was transferred to Red Bull Racing and found himself in a very different environment. However, Gasly did not last long and so GP Racing asked if there are any lessons learned from that time that will actually help him at Alpine.
"A lot," Gasly responded in conversation with the magazine. "I always say, you either win or you learn. And I think that’s a perfect description of what happened with Red Bull. I think there were a lot of lessons learned. On my side, and I think also from their side welcoming a new driver. And yeah, I’m making the most out of these lessons now."
What is Gasly doing differently now?
The now 27-year-old driver had some adjustment problems when he suddenly became Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull over four years ago. Gasly did not quite pan out, did not score a single podium finish, and was replaced by Alexander Albon in the winter break after 12 GPs. Not a fun experience, but a learning one, he argues.
What exactly Gasly learned and how he puts it into practice at Alpine at the moment, he would not say. "I don’t want to go into too many details. I’ve spoken so much about this since 2019, and we’re in 2023 now. Maybe one day I’ll open up more and reveal more details about it. But, definitely, I’ve learned a lot. And in my approach today there are a couple of things that are different. I’m not saying better – but different. Again, I’m trying to make sure I can grow in the best environment possible, that I can evolve and maximise my potential."
Fewer points than Ocon
Gasly picked up 15 points in eight Grands Prix so far. His best result of the season is a seventh place on the streets of Monaco. Teammate Esteban Ocon is one place higher in the world championship but collected 14 more points. Gasly's compatriot owes his lead mainly to scoring many points in Monaco by finishing third.