Alpine F1 is gearing up for a challenging future, possibly without drivers Ocon and Gasly.
For 2024 and 2025, two seasons that are likely very challenging for Alpine F1, there might be a need to change part or all of the driver duo for next year.
Indeed, in such difficult times, it might be that Alpine cannot keep its current drivers, with the contracts of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly expiring at the end of this year.
Ocon is regularly mentioned in the transfer market speculations. He could have a spot at Mercedes F1 (although this seems increasingly unlikely) but he is also being courted by Audi, in case Carlos Sainz declines to join the project. Gasly has also been mentioned as a possible Audi F1 driver.
Does Bruno Famin fear losing his two Frenchmen, who remain clear assets to his team?
“We are satisfied with our drivers, and our drivers are satisfied with us,” assures the team director to the official F1 site.
“We talk to them regularly. Let’s see what we can do in the future. There are ups and downs, we are in a difficult period but we have a strong project with a long-term vision.”
“We have a strong point for 2026: we are manufacturers, we develop our own engine – which is on track, we can optimize everything.”
“We have a project that does not need to convince them [to stay]. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. We are in a difficult situation. It’s not the start of the season we wished for and I appreciate how constructive they are with the team, not only in communication with journalists but also internally. When we try to find solutions with the car, both are very helpful.”
Of course, Alpine F1 knows that its drivers are also being courted and Famin does not want to find himself short of good drivers due to current performance levels.
“We are also looking at the market and we also have our academy where we develop the talents of tomorrow or the future. We have Jack Doohan who is our reserve, Victor Martins in F2.”
“We have a wide range of possibilities. We are happy with Esteban, happy with Pierre – but we are ready to react in case something happens. That’s how it is.”
Don’t expect Alpine to announce anything soon for 2025.
“We are not in a rush at the moment, to be honest. We have other problems to solve, other things to improve, and we are not in a rush. We are ready, we are prepared to react but we are not in a hurry.”
Kabir Anurag Joins the Alpine F1 Academy
Alpine F1 has announced the addition of Kabir Anurag, a Formula 4 driver, to the Alpine Academy program.
In 2024, Kabir will compete in the Italian Formula 4 Championship and the Euro 4 Championship with US Racing, following his campaign in the Formula Winter Series earlier in the year.
Originally from Singapore, the sixteen-year-old driver becomes the ninth member of the development program established by the BWT Alpine F1 Team. He will have access to the team’s state-of-the-art facilities at the F1 operations headquarters in Enstone (UK), while benefiting from the guidance and support of the Academy staff and the broader F1 team.
“I am thrilled to join the Alpine Academy for the 2024 season,” says Kabir Anurag, a driver from the Alpine Academy.
“It is an honor to have the support and trust of the BWT Alpine F1 Team and to have the opportunity to work with the team’s development program to advance my career both on and off the track. I will start my first season in F4 Italy and Euro 4, and I am eager to demonstrate what I am capable of under the Alpine colors.”
Alpine F1 stands ‘ready’ in case it loses its drivers. Alpine F1 stands ‘ready’ in case it loses its drivers
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