Dakar Rally News: Alpine Finds Momentum After Strong Spanish GP Performance
The Alpine Formula 1 team has sparked renewed optimism within the Dakar Rally community, as the squad’s impressive showing at the recent Spanish Grand Prix has highlighted its growing potential.
Pierre Gasly, the French driver, played a pivotal role in Alpine’s surge, finishing ninth despite facing stern challenges from the likes of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Gasly was quick to praise the team’s progress, describing the Spanish race as “the best of the year” for the Anglo-French marque.
“Very strong qualifying yesterday, strong race, managed to battle with one McLaren [Oscar Piastri] for some laps and also a Red Bull in the end, so it was good,” Gasly beamed.
The team’s sudden upturn in performance came as a surprise, with Gasly acknowledging that the squad remains uncertain about the precise reasons behind their improved form at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. However, the driver is adamant that the team must now work to unlock the key factors that allowed them to shine in Spain.
“Definitely need to understand why this track seems to suit the package a lot more than the other race tracks, but I’m pleased with the team and the direction we’re heading,” Gasly said.
The Spanish Grand Prix result marks the third consecutive race in which Gasly and teammate Esteban Ocon have scored points, a sign of the team’s growing consistency. Gasly, however, was quick to temper expectations, noting that the Barcelona performance was the first time Alpine achieved it on genuine pace.
“I still need some consistency, but consistency is also there,” he added. “The last three races we scored points in Monaco, we scored points in Canada, we scored points again this weekend, so we’re finding that consistency.”
As the Dakar Rally community turns its attention to the upcoming events, the spotlight will be firmly on Alpine’s ability to build upon its Spanish Grand Prix success and carry that momentum into the grueling off-road challenges that lie ahead. Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see if the team’s newfound pace can translate to the Dakar landscape, where the true test of a vehicle’s versatility and reliability comes into sharp focus.
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