A 100% French Duo

Since 1994 and the pair Panis-Bernard a team had not had two French pilots. It is now a return, it was expected, it was granted, Pierre Gasly leaves the Red Bull network after 6 seasons of good and loyal service. It is thus the Dutchman Nick de Vries who replaces him within the Italian team.

Increased ambitions?

“The driver available who was the fastest”, the words of Laurent Rossi, director of Alpine are evoking to qualify the tricolore. It is an ambitious change for Gasly who wanted to take a turn to hope one day to become world champion. Alas it will not be immediately to become it with Alpine. The Frenchman still has hopes of seeing the French team return to the top 4 manufacturers. The objective? podiums and victories, it is complicated at the moment but not insurmountable, especially with the talented duo of drivers.

Esteban Ocon, an obligatory good understanding?

They are no longer childhood friends who competed in the same karting competitions, life has led them down different paths. Now they are meeting again, it’s time for a reunion for the better and not the worse. Both drivers are excited to drive the same car and to finally renew their friendship. Is this possible? It will depend on different criteria. First of all, on the track, will they get along as teammates who do everything for the team? Secondly, will Alpine Ocon’s guideline be favored or will the French drivers be on the same footing? All these questions will be answered in March 2023 in Melbourne. As far as the Suzuka GP is concerned, the two French drivers will respectively start from 5th place for Ocon and from the back of the pack, 17th for Gasly.