Pierre Gasly’s “Unfortunate” Disaster Forces Alpine to Deploy Stern Steps to Iron Out Costly Mistakes

1Communication is key, especially in Formula 1. Pierre Gasly and Co. at Alpine learned this the hard way at the Spanish GP. Gasly qualified a stunning P4 for the race on Sunday, but after impeding drivers on flying laps not once but twice during qualifying, he received two three-place grid penalties for the race. So instead of starting P4 and capitalizing on Alpine’s improving pace, he had to start in 10th. And all this happened only because of communication errors with his engineers.

The Enstone team has been making gains throughout this season, closing the gap to Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Mercedes bit by bit. While it has been improving pace-wise, Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer opened up about how it needs to improve its communication too, and what efforts the team has taken to be prepared for the Canadian GP.

Pierre Gasly & Co. discuss communication strategy

While Pierre had a refreshing break in Paris between the Spanish and Canadian GP weekends, he headed to Enstone to figure out how to make amends on a stern, serious note. In a meeting at Alpine’s headquarters, Gasly, his engineers, and Szafnauer discussed how the team communicates with him, including what information he needs, when he needs it, what he does with it, and how quickly he can react to it. 

During qualifying in Barcelona, Gasly—on a cool-down lap—wasn’t informed of Max Verstappen on a fast lap behind him (and was immediately pointed out by Fernando Alonso). In the same session, he wasn’t told of Carlos Sainz on a fast lap behind him, either. Both these instances piled up as a costly mistake, resulting in him receiving a six-place grid penalty effectively.

While discussing the situation, Szafnauer said, as quoted by motorsport-total.com, “It was unfortunate.” Gasly started the race 10th and finished 10th. According to Szafnauer, had he started P4, there was a chance he could’ve possibly held onto it, implying that the starting position makes a lot of difference. To achieve qualifying results like it did last time out, Alpine focused on getting its communication right during the break.

Read More: “Far Too Many Races Where…”: Pierre Gasly Buries Heartbreaking Disappointments to Focus on the “Ingredient” Important to Launch Needed Comeback

Improving communication isn’t the only thing Alpine is working toward this year. This season’s calendar is missing something very close to Alpine’s heart, and the team hopes for a reunion next season.

Alpine look to bring back its Home race – the French GP

Alpine is a French team with an all-French line-up with Gasly and Esteban Ocon this season. But the team doesn’t have a home GP to race at this year. For a race that is one of the oldest on the calendar, it came as a shock to the French team that the French GP doesn’t feature in this year’s trip around the world.

F1 and the FIA, being profit-oriented businesses, decided to remove the French GP from the calendar to make space for races in Las Vegas and Qatar. In an interview, Ocon spoke about how he thinks not racing in France isn’t normal. He further explained that Alpine is working together to convince the F1 administration to bring back the French GP, not just for the sake of the team but also for French F1 fans.

Will Gasly have a smoother time in Canada in his communication with his engineers, or will Alpine have to continue having these communication strategy meetings to reach its desired goal?

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