A big change and a new environment, Gasly is “looking forward” to working with Oakes 

At Alpine, change is constant. In a difficult year from both a sporting and managerial point of view, A fléché begins a new chapter this weekend in Zandvoort. The Dutch meeting marks the first official appearance of Oliver Oakes as team principal, he who was named last July 31 in place of Bruno Famin. 

With the Briton, the French team aims to regain stability while internally everything has changed in recent months, between departures and arrivals in different departments. Above all, Oliver Oakes represents the renewal of the Blues, as they prepare to abandon their driving project to become a client of Mercedes. 

“A lot to do in detail” 

Si Esteban Ocon will only experience 10 Grands Prix under the tutelage of Oliver Oakes, Pierre Gasly is in a different situation. Recently extended, the Norman will have the opportunity to end a season in which they have nothing more to play before getting to the heart of the matter in the winter. 

« We talked over the summer, and I've known Oli for a few years now, because he worked in promotional formulas, confides Pierre Gasly. He is now in a new role, it’s a big change and a new environment that he has to get used to. But I know him and his qualities and abilities and I look forward to working with him. I know he is very objective. He was a pilot himself, so he can understand both sides, both the pilot's point of view and the management's point of view. It will be very interesting to work with him. He proved that he could do great things. » 

The hardest part begins now Alpine who must turn things around quickly. To carry out this mission, everyone is mobilized. Pierre Gasly, who will still be there in 2025, is aware of the importance of his role in a moment as messy as that of the French clan at the moment. “ It's part of my job to point out things and give him pilot feedback on what we're doing well and what we should improve.He says. Because there are obviously things that we do very well and areas where I have the feeling that we have gaps, or others where we could be a little more effective. 

This is obviously not going to happen in a few weeks. We have already discussed some things, but there is still a lot to do in detail, and it is important to have a global vision of everyone involved in the team. We drivers have an impact on many areas, and sometimes we have a little bigger picture than others on the team. It will be really very important » 

For the rest of the project Alpine, and despite the latest rumors which accompanied the recent decisions of the new big boss Flavio Briatore, Pierre Gasly does not say to himself “ worried ". On the contrary. According to him, having nothing left to hope for in 2024 will allow the team to better prepare for its future. 

« I have a more long-term vision, towards 2025 and 2026, concedes Bois-Guillaume’s child. So that gives us time to make adjustments and make sure Oliver Oakes can fit in. There is still enough time for this to have an impact on performance next season and 2026. It will take time but I am confident it will go well. » Now, Alpine will have to concentrate to get out of this zone of turbulence for good. Once this crucial stage has passed, it will then be able to plan for the next financial years, finding a stability which will not “ will only be beneficial to the team They say.

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