Every Formula 1 team sets a minimum goal of improving on their efforts the previous season and as we enter the third year of the current regulations, each manufacturer should under better than ever what to expect and how to improve.
Unfortunately, there have been several disappointing performances up and down the grid at a time when many teams and drivers are considering their futures.
One driver whose contract is expiring at the end of the season has been speaking to Racing News 365 about his disappointment following the first four races of the season.
There are still three teams on the grid that have yet to score their first point this season.
Williams haven’t even been able to run two cars at every Grand Prix while Stake F1 Team’s introduction to the sport as Sauber’s new moniker has been littered with pit stop issues.
However, arguably the outfit that have underperformed the most in 2024 is Alpine.
Having gone from fourth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship last year, they’re now in real danger of finishing last this season.
Pierre Gasly has been speaking about just how far below expectations Alpine have fallen this year.
They were left behind by the rest of the grid in Japan despite Esteban Ocon’s jubilant celebrations after reaching Q2 and only finished above Logan Sargeant in the Grand Prix.
READ MORE: Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Pierre Gasly admits Alpine have fallen well below expectations
Before pre-season had even begun, there were signs that signs weren’t right at Alpine.
David Croft shared that he had heard some worrying noises about their simulator performance.
Gasly admitted after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that Alpine were facing a very difficult time after he completed just a couple of laps before having to retire.
Croft praised the ‘mega job’ Gasly was doing in Australia before having to pit and dropping down the rankings and the upgrades Alpine brought to Suzuka fell below expectations as they sank to the bottom of the timing sheets.
Unsurprisingly, Gasly might be questioning whether his future remains at the French team beyond 2024.
He’s already shared what factors he considers important when deciding on his next move.
Gasly might end up with other options on the table and given Alpine’s current trajectory, he may not have to think too hard about whether to leave.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Change might be coming at Alpine beyond 2024 amid current struggles
Talking about the start of the season, Gasly said: “I think in the mid-term we need a big thing to improve this car now, this sort of car concept doesn’t live up to what we expected.
“But in the meantime, everything we can chip away, every single weekend will get us closer to potentially point finishing at some point.
“At the moment we’re clearly at the back of that sort of like second league, every single tenth we can get as soon as possible will make a difference.”
Both drivers are out of contract at the end of the season and have been linked with seats elsewhere.
Gasly’s expectations for his Formula 1 career might go beyond what Alpine can offer him in the short term.
He’s a potential but unlikely candidate for Mercedes and both he and Ocon are on Audi’s shortlist.
Ocon is still on Mercedes’s books and that means he too would be a candidate to partner with George Russell, but both drivers might have to wait and see how the market shakes out before committing their future to any team.
Academy star Victor Martins appears to be ahead of reserve driver Jack Doohan if either driver leaves and they decide to promote from within.
The time is right for several rookies to join Formula 1 and Alpine may be one of the few teams who could offer that opportunity.
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