SHERIDAN, WYOMING – August 26, 2024 – The Alpine F1 team experienced a mixed bag of results during Saturday's qualifying session at the 2024 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix. Pierre Gasly secured a spot in Q3 and will start the race from a promising 10th position, while Esteban Ocon faced challenges and will line up in 17th.
Gasly's Determination Shines
After a difficult Friday practice, Gasly showcased his determination and skill by navigating through Q1 and Q2 to reach the final qualifying session. While acknowledging that there was room for improvement in Q3, he expressed satisfaction with securing a top-10 starting position.
Gasly's optimism was evident in his post-qualifying comments: "I’m very pleased with today’s effort... In the end, we reached Q3 so I’m happy with that. We almost extracted the maximum from the car." He also recognized the challenges ahead, with tough competitors starting just behind him, but remained confident in his ability to fight for points on race day.
Ocon's Difficult Weekend Continues
Esteban Ocon's struggles with car setup persisted throughout the weekend, impacting his qualifying performance. He candidly admitted his disappointment, stating, "It has been a disappointing weekend so far. I have been struggling with the car set-up here, no matter what the conditions were and just had very poor grip."
Despite the setback, Ocon remains focused on extracting valuable data from the weekend and aims to make the most of the race, even from a challenging starting position. He acknowledged the difficulty of overtaking at Zandvoort but expressed hope for a more competitive showing on Sunday.
Team's Perspective: Progress and Focus
Alpine's Sporting Director, Julian Rouse, highlighted the team's progress since Friday's practice sessions. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and development to maintain their forward momentum. Rouse also acknowledged the unpredictable weather conditions at Zandvoort and the need to carefully strategize for the race.
Looking Ahead to the Race
With Gasly starting in the top 10, Alpine has a good chance of securing points in the Dutch Grand Prix. However, the team is aware of the challenges posed by the tight and twisty Zandvoort circuit, which makes overtaking difficult.
The race promises to be a thrilling contest, and Alpine will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities that arise.Gasly's strong qualifying performance has put him in a good position to fight for points, while Ocon will be aiming to make up ground and secure a respectable finish.