Gasly says Alpine P4 ranking 'makes sense' after sampling A522

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Pierre Gasly says Alpine's fourth place finish in F1's Constructors' standings this season "makes sense" based on his first test with the Enstone squad.

Gasly was released by Red Bull/AlphaTauri to allow him to run with Alpine at F1's post-season test in Abu Dhabi last week.

The Frenchman got acquainted with his new team but he was especially interested in sampling Alpine's 2022 contender that beat McLaren to P4 in the championship.

Gasly said that he adapted well to his new team and was "very positively surprised" by his time onboard Alpine's A522.

"It was kind of surprising at the start, but we managed to get everything we wanted," Gasly said after his first day of work with Alpine.

"Very quickly I felt comfortable in the car, and I understand now why they finished fourth in the teams' championship. It all makes sense for me, so I'm very excited for what's coming."

Gasly admitted that his run onboard Alpine's car was "even better" than his expectations.

"So far from what I've seen, there is massive experience in this team, from the engineers inside the engineering office but also inside the garage.

"I haven't seen everything yet, I still need to go to Enstone and see all the tools and facilities they have. But I've been very impressed with their way of approaching this first day."

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And the Frenchman was also pleased with how he was welcomed into his new team.

"It's never easy when you've got someone new coming in," he said. "We were still racing [against each other] two days ago with our respective teams and drivers so it goes pretty quick.

"But they've been very welcoming in the best possible way, and so far [there are] only positive signs.

"So it's really promising for the future."

Gasly remains contracted to AlphaTauri until the end of the year. But while his mind is firmly set on his 2023 campaign with Alpine, he's still carrying out his final sponsorship duties with Red Bull.

"I’m in the transition phase, let’s say," he explained.

"Sporting-wise, I’m fully focused for next year fully with Alpine. I still have a couple of commitments with AlphaTauri but I’ll start usually working with these guys for next season."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.