Alpine F1 marks progress despite Q2 exits for Gasly and Ocon, overcoming challenging tyre management.
Pierre Gasly finished 14th in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, and the Alpine F1 driver is not surprised to find himself far down the order. He acknowledges some inherent progress but laments the challenging tyre management.
“It was certainly a difficult session; we struggle significantly with the soft tyres. We haven’t been able to get them to work properly since the start of the weekend,” Gasly told Canal+.
“The best feeling I had was in Q1 with the worn tyres, which is surprising compared to the new tyres. The gap is wider with the cars ahead, but I think it depends on the tyre warming,” he added.
“There’s something we don’t yet understand. But things are better than last year; we know this track is tough for us. Tomorrow, the conditions will be different, so we’ll see what’s possible.”
“We know it’s easy to lose everything at the first corner with cold tyres and brakes. Other cars are fast, the Williams… Hülkenberg too, at least over one lap, less so on longer runs, but we’ll try to make the most of it.”
Esteban Ocon, meanwhile, is reassured to see progress after the Dutch GP: “I think this weekend has been much better than Zandvoort, where we had performance issues. We’ve changed the car since yesterday and found some performance.”
“We had a car that felt more like the one we’re used to, closer to how we run it, with the balance. There were fewer strange difficulties like in Zandvoort, but we need to understand where these changes have come from.”
“There was a bit more performance in the car today, and I’m slightly disappointed with the qualifying performance because, knowing our pace, we could have done better, but we’ll try to improve tomorrow.”
He also regretted how the track configuration contributes to dust being thrown up by the cars and landing on the track, due to a lack of certain kerbs at the entry of turns.
“I had Charles in front, and with the speed the cars go, it brings dust onto the track and it becomes slippery. There are things to improve, but the track is better than it was. We just need kerbs at the turn entry to try to keep the dirt off the track.”
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Gasly – Ocon Undaunted by Q2 Exit Amidst Tyre Struggles Gasly – Ocon Undaunted by Q2 Exit Amidst Tyre Struggles
