Gasly predicts step up for Alpine in pecking order after Spanish GP

Pierre Gasly has predicted that Alpine will be "fighting for the top five pretty soon" after their pace over the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

The Frenchman recorded his best qualifying result yet for the team by claiming P4, though was later demoted to 10th on the grid owing to two penalties for separate impeding incidents.

While Gasly was unable to make progress from this position in the race, he was left feeling positive about the overall performance of the car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"What I'm happy about is the pace we showed in qualifying and also in [the] race," he told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"I think clearly, when we're alone [on the track], we have pace in the package and I expect us to be fighting for [the] top five pretty soon."

'Clear signs' of Alpine pace

Gasly believes that Alpine had the pace to finish ahead of Aston Martin in Barcelona, leaving him encouraged in regards to what the team can achieve going forwards.

"We definitely made a step forward," he explained.

"We need to fight to get that consistency and show we're able to maintain that pace regardless of the tracks we're going to.

"But I think we did it in quali and [in the race] there were clear signs that the pace was there."

Alpine are currently P5 in the Constructors' Championship on 40 points, but face a 60-point deficit to fourth-placed Ferrari.