Gasly 'Very Happy' to Score Alpine's First Grand Prix Points Since Belgian GP

Pierre Gasly expressed significant satisfaction after securing a point at the Brazilian Grand Prix, marking Alpine's first Grand Prix points finish since the Belgian GP in late July. This result is a welcome boost for the team amidst a challenging 2025 season, with Gasly acknowledging the car's improved performance in Brazil while also identifying areas for further development.

Why it matters:

• Alpine has endured a difficult 2025 championship campaign, scoring only 22 points across 21 Grands Prix and five sprint races, all attributed to Gasly.
• Breaking a long drought in Grand Prix points since the Belgian GP highlights the team's ongoing struggle for consistent performance.
• Gasly's ability to extract a point, despite not fully showcasing the car's pace, offers a glimmer of hope and crucial data for future development.

The Details:

• Gasly finished the Brazilian Grand Prix in the points, a significant achievement given Alpine's recent performance struggles.
• He also scored a point in the Brazilian sprint race, finishing eighth, further bolstering his individual tally.
• Car Setup: Gasly praised Alpine's setup for the Brazilian Grand Prix, noting, "I was able to drive in a way that I want. The car was responding to what I expect the car to do. We were actually very competitive in the corners and I was pleased. We had a lot more potential."
• Identified Weakness: Despite improved cornering performance, Gasly highlighted a clear disadvantage on the straights, stating, "I'm losing the positions in the straights. Managed to dive twice in the inside of Hadjar, but every time in the straight to Turn 4, he passed me very easily."
• The Frenchman will give up his seat during FP1 in Mexico, allowing for testing or other team obligations.

The Big Picture:

• Gasly emphasized the importance of understanding the source of their potential in Brazil, stating, "It's important in the bigger picture to understand where that entire potential came from and where it was the last few weekends."
• He suggested that while track characteristics play a role, there's more to Alpine's improved feeling with the car, describing it as "night and day with what I felt since three months {ago}."

What's next:

• Alpine needs to thoroughly analyze the data from Brazil to understand the factors behind their improved cornering performance and address the persistent straight-line speed deficit.
• Consistency will be key as the team looks to build on this single point, aiming to translate specific track performance into a more generalized improvement across various circuits.
• The insights gained from Gasly's feedback will be crucial in guiding the technical direction for the remainder of the season and into the 2026 car development, as Alpine strives to climb back up the Constructors' standings.