Gasly Pushes for Sainz; Alpine Eyes Future Amid Driver Changes
Pierre Gasly is going all in to bring his fellow driver Carlos Sainz to Renault-owned Alpine. This aggressive recruitment effort signifies the team’s strategic shift as they prepare for a significant overhaul in their lineup.
The looming departure of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari sets the stage for Lewis Hamilton to join the legendary Italian team. Sainz has found a strong supporter in Gasly. "I did my fair share of the job, but ultimately I believe in the projects we're building with Alpine and I always back the team up. Now it's up to him to make his own decision," Gasly stated, reinforcing his confidence in Alpine’s vision and echoing his commitment to the team's future ambitions.
As the 2024 driver standings unfold, Pierre Gasly finds himself in the 15th position, while Sainz enjoys a much more competitive fourth spot. This disparity could serve as both a lure and a challenge for Sainz as he contemplates his next career move. "It's only the timing that I'm changing, I'm not changing the outcome of anyone as probably all teams by now have their priorities and their decisions depending on each scenario," Sainz candidly shared, emphasizing the complexity and delicacy of the timing in such major decisions.
Meanwhile, Alpine is bracing for another substantial change with Esteban Ocon's official announcement of his exit from the team at the end of the year. This departure further underscores the urgency and importance of securing high-caliber talent like Sainz, as Alpine aims to bolster their ranks for future competitions. Gasly remains optimistic, "I think Alpine, the team has good options on the table," he remarked, hinting at the team's potential to attract skilled drivers amid this transitional period.
One intriguing development is the involvement of reserve driver Jack Doohan, who might step into a more prominent role depending on how the team’s strategy unfolds. Additionally, Mick Schumacher’s participation with Alpine's world endurance squad showcases the breadth of talent associated with the team, albeit in different racing domains.
Alpine currently holds the eighth spot in the constructors cup, a ranking they undoubtedly aspire to improve. In contrast, their competitors show a broad range of standings, with Williams at ninth and Sauber, which will rebrand as Audi in 2026, sitting at the bottom of the constructors cup. The team's immediate goal is to climb higher within these rankings, and the right driver lineup is crucial to achieving this ambition.
A palpable excitement surrounds Gasly’s advocacy for Sainz. “At the end of the day, it’s not up to me. I welcome the fastest guy out there. We all know who it is. But then, yeah, I mean, at the moment, we've got to wait. But yeah, the team has three good options,” Gasly commented, leaving fans and analysts to speculate about the identity of the third potential driver under consideration and how these changes will ultimately shape the team's trajectory.
The motorsport world watches closely as Alpine navigates this period of change. With Sainz weighing his options, Hamilton's potential move to Ferrari, and crucial strategic decisions imminent for Alpine, the upcoming seasons promise a rollercoaster of developments and high-stakes racing. Gasly's proactive stance may well be the catalyst needed to propel Alpine to new heights.