Gasly 'getting there' with Alpine by finding small gains

Pierre Gasly admits to having "mixed feelings" after his first three races with Alpine, but the Frenchman insists he's making small gains with each outing and slowly but surely "getting there".

Gasly scored a pair of P9 finishes in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia, and was on track for a productive top-five result in Australia when chaos ensued after the race's second restart and circumstances steered Gasly into the path of teammate Esteban Ocon, which sent both drivers into the wall.

However, the 27-year-old still took away more positives than negatives from his first races with Alpine.

"I have mixed feelings after the first three races," he said in the Enstone squad's Azerbaijan Grand Prix preview.

"It’s not been the smoothest first few months, but I’m relishing the challenge and, on the whole, there are so many positives that we can draw upon.

"I’m finding small gains each time I’m in the car and these things take time, but I’m getting there, and the results will only follow if we continue on this trajectory.

"Practice and spending time behind the wheel is so limited in Formula 1, so maximising every chance we have when we’re at the track is so valuable.

"Australia was a good step forwards even without the end result to show for it. I love being part of this team, there’s a great family feel about it and we must keep working together to achieve our goals."

• Read also: Alpine car to receive new floor in Baku as updates kick in

Formula 1's first double-header of the year will see drivers compete on two perilous street circuits – Baku and Miami.

Therefore, Gasly stressed the importance of keeping himself out of trouble as much as possible at both venues, but perhaps especially in Azerbaijan where teams and drivers will enjoy their first Sprint weekend of the year.

"We have an interesting format to get through and it’s going to be all about staying alive in both races and capitalising on any opportunities that might come up," he said.

"I’ve had past success in Baku from just keeping it clean and taking chances – including in 2021 for my latest podium in Formula 1.

"You just never know in Baku…anything can happen! I’ve been to Enstone over the past few days and I’m excited by what the team is bringing and by what we have in the pipeline.

"It’s time to keep my head down, work hard and aim for strong performances that are rewarded with what we deserve!

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