Pierre Gasly Reflects on Alpine’s Unexpected Improvement at the Brazil Grand Prix

Pierre Gasly recently celebrated a notable achievement as he secured his first points in Formula 1 since the summer break, which he attributed to a surprising resurgence from the Alpine team during the Brazil Grand Prix. While the French driver was thrilled about his performance, he expressed uncertainty regarding the reasons behind the team’s sudden improvement.

Alpine’s Struggles Before the Brazil Grand Prix

Before the Sao Paulo race, Alpine had been experiencing a challenging phase, recording some of the worst finishes in the history of the team since its inception in the 1980s. The team’s previous five races saw Gasly and his counterpart struggling to achieve better than 15th place, a disappointing result he attained in Mexico. This downturn was primarily due to Alpine’s strategic decision to halt the development of its A525 car early in the season, redirecting resources toward adapting for the upcoming 2026 regulations in Formula 1.

Despite these past struggles, Gasly managed to surprise everyone by qualifying in eighth position for the sprint race at Interlagos. He maintained that position throughout the sprint, ultimately earning the last point available for the day. “For me, it was night and day with what I felt over the past three months,” Gasly remarked on Sunday evening. He expressed his satisfaction with the car’s performance, noting how it positively impacted his mood upon waking up that morning.

A Competitive Race Weekend

In the main race, Gasly started from ninth on the grid and finished tenth, navigating a tightly contested battle that included multiple drivers jockeying for positions ranging from seventh to sixteenth. Reflecting on this achievement, Gasly expressed, “I’m very happy because the last time we scored points on a Sunday was in Spa before the summer break, and it’s been a very long walk in the middle of nowhere for three months.”

However, Gasly also conveyed a sense of disappointment regarding his performance in the race. He pointed out that despite a strong start, which allowed him to overtake drivers like Bearman and Russell, he lost those positions on the straights. “Both occasions I lost the position in the straights, which would have put us in a much better track position for the rest of the race,” he explained. Gasly felt that he had more pace than he was able to demonstrate, especially when he made successful dives inside Hadjar, only to lose ground again on the straights.

Analyzing the A525’s Performance

Gasly noted that although securing one point wasn’t life-changing for him or the team, it was significant in the broader context of understanding the potential of the A525 car. “It’s important to analyze where that entire potential came from and why we were so competitive here compared to previous weekends,” he stated. While he acknowledged that the track characteristics likely played a role, he believed there were additional factors that warranted further investigation.

During his qualifying session, Gasly was pleased to find himself less than five-tenths of a second behind McLaren, a performance that offered a glimpse of the A525’s capabilities. “We were actually very competitive in the corners,” he noted, emphasizing that the car responded well to his inputs, aligning with his expectations for a race car.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Uncertainties

As the Formula 1 season approaches its final three races, starting with the Las Vegas Grand Prix next week, Gasly expressed uncertainty about whether Alpine could maintain this momentum. “I have no idea. We have no idea why we were fast here and why we were so slow in Mexico,” he admitted. Gasly reflected on the unpredictability of the sport, recalling that he had qualified third in Vegas the previous year but was cautious about making predictions for this year’s race.

The inconsistency in performance has been a recurring theme for Alpine throughout the season. Gasly mentioned how Max Verstappen, who had struggled in previous sessions, managed to secure a strong position during the Brazil race. This unpredictability poses challenges for the team as they prepare for future races and seek to capitalize on their recent success.

The Importance of Data Analysis

Gasly emphasized the need for thorough data analysis to understand the discrepancies in performance across different races. He acknowledged that while the team had some insights, they weren’t sufficient to guarantee consistent performance. “There are quite a few things to work on,” he concluded, highlighting the ongoing efforts required to improve the A525 and the team’s overall competitiveness.

In the world of Formula 1, where every millisecond counts, understanding the nuances of car performance and adapting to various track conditions is crucial. The challenges faced by Alpine this season have underscored the importance of continuous development and strategic planning as they move forward.

As the team prepares for the upcoming races, including the anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, they must leverage the insights gained from the Brazil weekend to refine their approach and enhance their performance. For Gasly and Alpine, the journey continues, filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth as they navigate the complexities of Formula 1 racing.