Gasly reacts to latest loss in Alpine exodus

Pierre Gasly has conceded he was surprised by the resignation of former Alpine technical director Matt Harman.

Harman, as revealed by RacingNews365 during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, handed in his resignation alongside fellow senior engineer Dirk de Beer and added to the exodus from the Enstone-and-Viry-based outfit, which has seen a number of high-profile changes in management since 2021.

Asked by RacingNews365 whether he was taken aback by Harman's departure, Gasly told media: "It is always a surprise because I have been quite close to Matt, coming inside the team and trying to understand the philosophy and the changes we have made on this new car.

"So it comes as a bit of a surprise - I obviously knew slightly before [it was made public] - but at the end of the day, I focus on my business, I have got to drive the car fast and move the team forward and give clear feedback and that's where my energy goes into.

"At the moment, it takes quite a lot of energy."

Gasly boost despite hardship

Alpine made a miserable start to the new F1 campaign, locking out the final row of the grid in qualifying last weekend before finishing 17th and 18th in the race.

But Gasly has been provided a boost behind the scenes, explaining: "Everyone's disappointed but what I like to see is that no one is beat down, everyone wants to see the end of the tunnel, everyone is working on their own bit and trying to improve as much as they can.

"So whether it is the guys inside the garage, in the engineering room or back at the factory, we feel more united than we have ever been and in this sort of situation, it is crucially important to stick together and more in the same direction.

"So I do feel everyone is pushing to improve but F1, it does take time, as much I hate it because I am fighting time my entire life - on the race track and off the race track at the moment.

"I will have to be patient."