Alpine driver Pierre Gasly has shared what’s really important to him as he decides on his Formula 1 future beyond 2024.
The talented Frenchman has entered the final year of his current contract and might not be too keen on signing an extension given Alpine’s current struggles.
Speaking to Racing News 365, the 28-year-old outlined why his previous experiences in F1 are now guiding what he wants to do going forward.
Pierre Gasly shares ‘important’ factor in deciding Formula 1 future
With so many drivers out of contract at the end of 2024, there are plenty of options on the table for both those on the grid and the manufacturers.
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will set off a chain reaction of signings that wasn’t previously expected at the start of the summer.
It means Mercedes have been linked with plenty of drivers over the past couple of months, with Toto Wolff having to consider short-term and long-term goals.
Many drivers might be taking more interest than usual in Formula 2 and in particular how Andrea Kimi Antonelli fares.
The Mercedes youngster is highly-rated within the team and considering Gasly has been linked with lining up alongside Russell, he might hope the 17-year-old needs one more year at that level before stepping up.
Gasly has explained what is going to be important to him when he decides on his future in the sport.
A seat at Mercedes certainly lines up with what he wants heading into 2025 and beyond, but whether he’s high enough up their list is another matter.
Pierre Gasly outlines what he wants from next F1 contract
Asked whether driving for a works team was a factor in deciding his future, Gasly said: “That’s important, yeah.
“I’ve been on both sides of being with AlphaTauri [Toro Rosso] and Honda and Renault when I started in 2017, and obviously the ceiling is higher.
“There’s no limit when you’re a manufacturer. You can just set your own limits and develop and invest as much as you want.
“So I do see that benefit from being a manufacturer in Alpine, and obviously funding is not the issue.
“That’s why I do believe there is no reason and there is no limit to ourselves and the way we’re going to approach the future.”
Alpine’s awful start to 2024 leaves Pierre Gasly in a precarious position
After going from fourth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship last season, Alpine are now hoping that they can avoid finishing bottom of the standings this year.
Points appear to be a pipe dream at this stage with the likes of Haas and Visa Cash App RB taking decent strides forward.
The only benefit of Gasly staying at Alpine for the foreseeable is the important factor that they’re a works team.
Unfortunately, they’re not acting like a works team at the moment, with the team ‘internally exploding’ as they seek to fix the issues with the current car.
Gasly was heard ‘ranting’ on the radio in Bahrain and hasn’t looked in contention for a top-ten finish at any point this season, despite being hailed by David Croft as doing a ‘mega job’ during the Australian Grand Prix.
Eddie Jordan has even suggested that Alpine might not be on the grid next season.
While they might have plenty of potential suitors, that won’t fill Gasly full of confidence as he hopes to secure a seat for next season.
The post ‘That’s important’: Pierre Gasly shares key factor in deciding F1 future with Alpine contract set to expire appeared first on F1 Oversteer.