Pierre Gasly has detailed that it is an “important” factor for him to be part of a works team when deciding on his Formula 1 future.
Gasly is out of contract at the end of the current F1 campaign, having joined Alpine last year after several seasons under the Red Bull umbrella.
Alpine is enduring a difficult start to the 2024 season and is languishing towards the back of the field with an uncompetitive car.
However, Alpine’s construction of its own car and engine sees it fall into the category of a works team, which Gasly identified as a key element for the decision over his F1 future.
“That’s important, yeah,” Gasly told media including RacingNews365.
“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.”
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Gasly calls for solutions as he mulls over future
Gasly is one of several drivers who is out of contract at the end of the current F1 campaign.
Competitors are already looking ahead to the regulation overhaul in 2026 when new aerodynamic and engine regulations will come into play.
The arrival of fresh rules has the potential to shake up the grid order, meaning putting pen to paper for their next contract is a crucial decision for all drivers.
When asked if Alpine’s progress this year will influence his immediate plans for 2025, Gasly said: “For sure - the understanding of what we have and the concept we have, the car we have, the potential.
“More important is the understanding of what we are doing.
"There’s a big regulation change in 2026, which will be a challenge for every team, whether it’s on the engine side or the car side.
“It’s not that because that car concept isn’t working, that we don’t know what we’re doing, but it is very important that we’re able to identify and come up with solutions and all that understanding.”
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