Pierre Gasly expressed frustration following a challenging Miami Grand Prix weekend, admitting that Alpine “definitely need some answers” before the next race at Imola. The French driver endured a tough outing at the Miami International Autodrome, finishing 13th in the Grand Prix after starting from the pit lane due to setup changes made under parc ferme conditions. His teammate, Jack Doohan, faced an even worse fate, retiring on the first lap after a collision with RB’s Liam Lawson, marking the Australian’s second opening-lap DNF this season.
Gasly’s weekend began with a disappointing qualifying session, where he was knocked out in Q1 for the first time since the Chinese Grand Prix, posting the 18th-fastest time. Traffic disrupted his final run, and he noted that the car “did not feel the same as previously in the weekend.” Alpine’s decision to adjust the suspension on his A525 car overnight breached parc ferme regulations, forcing him to start from the pit lane. Despite gaining positions during the race, Gasly could not break into the points, crossing the line in a distant 13th. Reflecting on the result, he acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We haven’t really shown any speed at any point.” He emphasized the need for introspection, particularly as rival teams like Williams have made significant strides. “Williams made a huge step, but it’s not just compared to them—compared to all the other cars,” Gasly remarked when asked about Alpine’s lackluster performance.
Doohan’s weekend was equally troubling. Although he outqualified Gasly for the first time in a Grand Prix, reaching Q2, his race ended abruptly after contact with Lawson at Turn 1. The incident, which caused a puncture, forced him to park his car near an escape road, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Doohan, who described the crash as unfortunate, believed he could have maintained a competitive position, noting, “We were solidly running in P13, just behind Ocon and ahead of Gasly.” The rookie’s struggles have fueled speculation about his future with Alpine, with reports suggesting the team is evaluating his position ahead of Imola. Team principal Oliver Oakes, when pressed on Doohan’s status before the weekend, stated, “As it is today, Jack is our driver along with Pierre,” but added that the team is always assessing its options.
Alpine’s woes in Miami extend beyond the Grand Prix. In the sprint race, Gasly managed to score a single point with an eighth-place finish, a rare highlight in an otherwise dismal weekend. However, the team’s overall performance was lackluster, leaving them ninth in the constructors’ standings with only six points this season, all scored by Gasly. Posts on X echoed the sentiment of disappointment, with fans and observers noting Alpine’s slide to second-to-last in the championship and questioning whether reserve driver Franco Colapinto or others might soon replace Doohan.
Despite the setbacks, Gasly remained cautiously optimistic about the team’s potential. He highlighted recent progress, citing a P8 finish in Bahrain and a strong FP1 showing in Saudi Arabia as evidence of Alpine’s capabilities. “It feels like we’ve taken another step forward this weekend,” he said, pointing to minor improvements in car balance. However, he stressed that without significant enhancements, scoring points at Imola would be a challenge. “With a bit more performance, we believe we can get closer to fighting for points,” he added.