Pierre Gasly Unfazed by Alpine’s Potential Renault Engine Partnership Shift
Pierre Gasly recently dismissed the notion that being tied to a works manufacturer is crucial to his Formula 1 prospects, despite rumors circulating that Alpine might soon abandon its Renault engine partnership. A recent report suggests that Alpine is considering shutting down its engine division in Viry-Chatillon to become a customer team once new regulations take effect in 2026.
Since the introduction of V6-turbo hybrid engines in 2014, Renault has struggled to match its rival marques, carrying a deficit since the engine freeze in 2022. Gasly refrained from confirming or denying the speculation but expressed complete faith in Alpine’s senior management to make the right decision.
“As a Formula 1 driver, my primary focus is on delivering the best results and extracting the maximum performance from my car,” Gasly stated. “I trust the team’s top management to make the correct choice, and I don’t have any particular worries on that front.”
Gasly’s contract with Alpine expires at the end of the current season, and he is weighing his options, considering whether to stay with the team or explore other opportunities like his teammate Esteban Ocon. The French driver admitted that Alpine’s decision on its power unit strategy heading into the upcoming regulation reset will be a significant factor in his decision-making process.
“Everything comes into play, as you would expect,” Gasly outlined. “The conversations with the team are very transparent, which is why I’m happy with that aspect. As a driver, I have no comment to make on such a topic. I know where the team stands, and that’s what’s important to me.”
Gasly’s experience in the Red Bull stable has given him insight into the restrictions that come with being a customer team. “Fundamentally, being a works team means you don’t have any limitations; you set your own limits,” he explained. “That’s the advantage of being a works team. When you work with another party, you lose a bit of the flexibility that you can have as a works team.”
However, Gasly acknowledged that McLaren’s recent success, having climbed to race winners over the last 12 months, demonstrates what is attainable despite not being a works operation. “They’re clearly showing what’s possible to achieve,” he said of McLaren. “You’ve got signs that it’s possible to be competitive even without running your own engine. So, that’s for sure in the balance, but more globally, I think it’s just important to have all the options on the table and then let the top management make the right decision for the team.”
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