Alpine arrives at the Belgian Grand Prix of Formula 1, determined to regain ground in the championship battle. Pierre Gasly believes that Spa-Francorchamps will present unprecedented challenges with the current generation of cars, while the team works to reduce the gap to their direct rivals.
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Gasly highlighted that Spa is one of the most special circuits on the calendar, both for the track’s characteristics and for the personal significance the place holds for several drivers. At the same time, he believes that energy management will play a decisive role in this edition of the race, requiring different approaches from the teams.
“The circuit has some of the best corners of the season and provides one of the greatest challenges behind the wheel. This year might be a bit different with the current generation of cars and the energy management we will have to do during the lap. We need to come with an open mind and some ideas to maximize lap time. I’m sure we will see different strategies across the grid,” said the Frenchman.
The driver also expects a reaction from Alpine after recent results: “I am determined to achieve a better performance than in the last races and to fight again against our competitors in the championship, which is now extremely close,” he said. Gasly also recalled the emotional side of the visit to Spa, where he will organize for the fourth time the ‘Run For Anthoine’ race, in honor of his friend Anthoine Hubert, who died in a serious accident at the Belgian circuit while racing in F2 in August 2019. “It is a special moment to remember him and all the memories we shared,” he concluded.
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Franco Colapinto also showed enthusiasm to race at one of his favorite circuits. The Argentine highlighted the high-speed corners, overtaking opportunities, and the impact that energy management could have over the weekend. According to him, the work during free practice will be crucial to define the best strategy for the race.
Colapinto also valued the ninth place achieved at the British GP, when he gained ten positions after starting 19th, but stressed that the fight in the constructors’ championship remains extremely tight. The driver also joked about the Argentina vs. England confrontation in the World Cup semifinal: “I’m excited for Wednesday night. Many team members are English, so we’ll see who will be happier on Thursday,” he added.
The team’s sporting director, Steve Nielsen, acknowledged that Alpine is still a step behind some competitors in the fight for fifth place among the constructors. According to him, the Enstone team is working intensively on car updates and hopes they will bring decisive performance gains: “Belgium will be an interesting test with this generation of cars. It is an iconic circuit and we go there with optimism and the goal of achieving the best possible result with both cars,” he concluded.
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