Gasly hoping Alpine surprise boosts departing Szafnauer and Permane

Pierre Gasly hopes his surprise third-place finish in the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint will leave "special memories" for the departing Alpine senior management.

It was announced during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane would be leaving the team after the race in the latest reshuffle at Alpine.

The news came just a week after Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was removed from post with Bruno Famin now appointed as Interim Team Principal while Szafnauer's replacement is sought.

After a poor Qualifying session for the Grand Prix on Friday, Gasly was able to secure sixth on the Sprint grid, and by pitting on the first lap when the Sprint started, was able to grab third place.

He was able to stay there and deliver a much-needed boost to the team, with the Frenchman hoping Szafnauer, Permane and Pat Fry - who is to take up the Chief Technical Officer role at Williams - could depart on good terms.

Gasly's trophy hope

"We've tried to stay focused on the job this weekend," Gasly told media including RacingNews365.

"I'm glad we managed to get a trophy, even if it is a small one on the last weekend for Alan, Otmar and Pat to make some positive memories.

"I had to focus on what I do on the track and try to bring the best from the car every single session. That is what I was focusing on.

"Obviously, everyone is disappointed with the start of the year, we haven't performed or made the progress we should have.

"I joined just six months ago, I don't know what the past history of the team is and it's also quite a lot of changes for me just coming into the team, relying on new people and then there are all these changes.

"Everybody needs to sit down and process what has happened, refresh and start afresh."