Pierre Gasly feels unconcerned over the lack of testing time he’ll have before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
This year sees Formula 1 pre-season testing return to its three-day format, rather than the six days held before the 2022 season.
Gasly, who moved to Alpine following five years at Toro Rosso, Red Bull and AlphaTauri, goes into the season well-prepared and full of optimism.
“If I could have 10 days in the car,” Gasly told Total Motorsport.com at Alpine’s launch in London.
“It would help with the changing environments over the winter, but it is the way it is,”
“I know on my side I’ve done everything I could to work with the team, get to know the team, share my requirements and my needs.
“On their side, ask what they used to and what they need and just to, you know, get to know each other with the team because you have to create automatism which will come.
“We’ll do the work, and I’m confident we’ll be able to perform in the first race.”
Excited about moving to a bigger team
The move from AlphaTauri to Alpine comes with the bonus of having factory support and more extensive facilities, which are a bonus for Gasly.
“It’s much better, not gonna lie, it’s a much better and much more exciting feeling,” said Gasly.
“Everything felt different at the start, but it felt pretty good. I was really happy after my first few laps, but shakedowns usually feel awkward.
“It’s a new car, a new seat, steering pedals; the car always behaves in the other way, but this time everything was just great; already there is some good potential.
“I’m excited. I’m a very competitive person, and I hope we can carry the momentum they had over the last year and close the gap to the big three.”
