Alpine have had a disastrous start to the 2024 F1 season. Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon have been forced to fight in the tail end of the pecking order. However, Gasly had to retire from the Saudi Arabian GP moments after the start of the race due to a gearbox failure. Now, the 28-year-old has explained why he was forced to bring his car back to the pits.
Gasly suffered a gearbox issue during the formation lap. Although, the Frenchman managed to make it to the grid spot. The 28-year-old claimed that he lost the sixth gear and the synchronization of all other gears of the Alpine A524 as he lined up on the grid. Subsequently, Pierre Gasly started the race with no synchronized gears.
I lost sixth gear, then lost synchronization of all the other gears and at the start, I had no gears which were synchronised. Pierre Gasly said as reported by RacingNews365
The 28-year-old revealed that he could only go as high as the fifth gear on his car. Subsequently, Team Enstone had no choice but to retire the car. Pierre Gasly admitted that he was disappointed with this issue as it came at a difficult time for Alpine. The French team was undoubtedly one of the biggest losers of the Saudi Arabian GP.
The highest that I could go was fifth and so we had to retire, and I am disappointed for the team because we are going through a difficult time.
The Frenchman claimed that it was on the formation lap that the gearbox lost its sixth gear. Gasly claimed that Alpine would investigate this incident to ensure that it is not repeated in the future.
The laps to the grid were fine, but on the formation lap, the first time I engaged sixth gear, I just lost it completely, so we need further investigation.
Pierre Gasly praises efforts of the Alpine F1 team
Despite two rough weekends in a row, Pierre Gasly remains confident that things will change for the Renault Works team. The 28-year-old applauded the efforts and energy of all members back at Enstone and Viry. Gasly claimed that the team was working extensively to improve its position in the pecking order.
I can see how much effort and energy everyone is putting in to make improvements and make things better.
The 28-year-old acknowledged that it will take time for Alpine to see the rewards of the current development. Pierre Gasly affirmed that the French team was prepared to face the difficult period. As the team tries to find more performance in the Alpine A524.
We don't really get the reward of it at the moment, so it is not easy but we'll keep our head high and keep working to find the performance.
Certainly, Pierre Gasly and Alpine will continue to struggle in the first half of the 2024 season. A major in-season upgrade could turn the tide for Team Enstone. However, the Renault Works team has a lot of work left to do to combat the weight and downforce issues on its 2024 challenger. Fans would be looking forward to seeing how things pan out for the Gasly’s squad in the coming weeks.
More must-reads: