Pierre Gasly denies Alpine concern

Teams will have three days of testing in Bahrain this year, a reduction from last year’s six-days of testing.

The 2023 season is edging closer and closer, with every car unveiled and various shakedown tests having been completed.

The teams with travel to Bahrain this week in preparation for pre-season testing, where the teams will be given three days to gather as much data as possible from their new cars.

The drivers will be looking to get as many laps in as possible during these three days, with some having an entirely new car to adapt to having moved teams over the winter break.

One of these transferred drivers is Pierre Gasly, who has finally exited the Red Bull system to join Alpine from AlphaTauri.

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While the Frenchman will only have three days of testing to adapt to his new car, rather than the six days the teams had last year, Gasly is confident of a successful start to life at Alpine.

“If I could have 10 days in the car, it would help with the changing environments over the winter, but it is the way it is,” he said.

“I know on my side I’ve done everything I could work with the team, get to know the team, share my requirements and needs.

“On their side, ask what they used to and what they need and just to, you know, get to know each other with the team because you have to create automatism which will come.

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“We’ll do the work, and I’m confident we’ll be able to perform in the first race.”

Alpine will be sporting a bright pink livery in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia this season before switching to their usual blue and pink blend, as they did last season.

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The team have been on a steady upwards trajectory since joining F1 in 2021, making the move past McLaren in the constructors’ championship last season to claim the best of the rest title.

Since joining F1, the team have only managed to secure one win and one podium, something which Pierre Gasly would like to change.

With the exciting pairing of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon in the cars, Alpine will be hoping to make the trip up to stand on the podium much more often this season, occasionally mixing with the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari.