Speaking during the unveiling of Alpine’s 2024 car at its Enstone facility on Tuesday, Gasly disclosed that he had sensed rumblings for quite some time.

“Obviously, he’s had a lengthy stint with Mercedes, but I had an inkling there were discussions with Ferrari,” Gasly remarked.

“Ultimately, he’s nearing the twilight of his career. So, it was a case of now or never.

READ: Lewis Hamilton warned about making Charles Leclerc his number two

“I believe it was kept under wraps for quite some time. I simply wish him the best. It’s certainly intriguing with the driver market, and all the associated buzz, which is par for the course.

“But fundamentally, for the sport, having the most successful driver of all time embark on a new project, a fresh challenge, is significant. I’m sure everyone will be closely monitoring that.”

Gasly conceded that Hamilton’s signing wasn’t positive news for Carlos Sainz, but he understood Ferrari’s decision.

When asked if the situation was equitable for Sainz, Gasly remarked: “What’s fair in F1, to begin with? I think Carlos is an exceptional driver. Lewis is an outstanding driver, the best of all time. So, from that perspective, I think there was an opportunity on both ends.

“I believe Ferrari and Lewis seized it together. Naturally, it leaves Carlos in a tougher spot. It’s not straightforward.”

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has created an opening for a prime Mercedes seat in 2025, with the German outfit showing no haste in determining its occupant.

Gasly acknowledged the potential for considerable movement in the driver market this year but emphasised the importance of staying focused on delivering optimal performances on the track.

“The approach going into every single weekend remains consistent,” he asserted. “Whether there are seats up for grabs or not doesn’t really matter.

“You need to race intelligently. You need to be assertive, as you always are. But being aware of what opportunities exist and maximising them, that doesn’t really alter.”

READ: Toto Wolff reacts to Lewis Hamilton quitting Mercedes over ‘terrible’ 2024 car

He concluded: “My objective in F1 has always been clear. I aim to contend at the front.

That’s why I joined Alpine a year and a half ago – because I want to be in the mix for top positions.

“So, it hasn’t altered my approach to Formula 1. I’ve just turned 28. Essentially, I’m at my peak. I know I have some fruitful years ahead, so nothing has changed on my end.”

The post Pierre Gasly makes shock claim about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly is the latest driver to be of interest to the German manufacturer, who will complete their 75 per cent takeover of Sauber the year the new power unit regulations are introduced.

Sauber will become an Audi works team, with the Volkswagen-owned manufacturer supplying their own power units.

Several drivers have been linked to the new side, including Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Williams’ Alex Albon and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.

READ: Lewis Hamilton warned to stop crying ‘too much’

Sainz is rumoured to have signed a pre-contract with Audi, although the general belief is that it’s not legally binding.

This gives him an option if Ferrari insist on only giving him a one-year contract extension for 2025, which is currently looking likely.

Albon joining Audi looks unlikely, with F1 journalist Edd Straw having revealed that the Germans are interested in Williams’ star driver.

According to RacingNews365, Hulkenberg is Audi’s top target, and would fit the side’s rumoured desire to have at least one German driver.

Hulkenberg is contracted only until the end of this season, so it’s definitely a possible move.

Even Gasly’s teammate Esteban Ocon has been suggested as a good option for Audi, with Lawrence Barretto noting that Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl is monitoring the Frenchman.

Both Alpine drivers are out of contract at the end of this year, as are both Sauber drivers.

As a result, if a driver can negotiate a two-year contract with the Hinwil-based side, then they’ll be in the team ready for Audi’s arrival.

Gasly is an interesting option, considering that he’s still just 27 years old and has proven to have strong pace at times.

READ: Carlos Sainz’s father makes massive Audi admission that will worry Ferrari

Any driver interested in Audi will need to deliver this year, as the German giants will be watching closely.

It’s Gazzetta dello Sport who reported that Gasly is a driver on their radar, something which might concern Alpine.

Alpine presumably won’t want to lose both drivers and will be keen to avoid either of them being heavily involved in silly season, especially after they have only just recovered from losing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

The post Carlos Sainz handed blow as Pierre Gasly joins Audi’s wish list appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Ahead of the first Formula 1 race in Las Vegas since 1982, Netflix put on a live golf event which saw an F1 driver partnered with a golf pro.

Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris and Alex Albon all took part, in what was a chaotic yet enjoyable to watch event.

The Alpine driver and Tony Finau remarkably made it all the way to the final, where they were beaten by Sainz and Justin Thomas.

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Despite the initial disappointment of losing the final, Gasly was simply delighted to have not injured any spectators, especially as he “shanked a few balls”.

Overall, Gasly believes it was a “lot of fun” and an excellent event put on by Netflix, which will likely be seen again in the future.

“I will say it went as expected,” Gasly said during the pre-weekend press conference, as reported by Crash.net.

“I didn’t kill anyone, which was the first target. I did try my best but I shanked a few balls and few of them went close to spectators.

“I’m glad everyone stayed safe. I did get a couple of nice shots which I was happy about but such a cool event. The course was the best I’ve ever played on. I spent most of my time on the rough but it was so nice.

“The grass was so great. It was a lot of fun and we played against Alex [Albon] – and against all odds I managed to get to the final. I don’t know how. I know how, my partner was just so amazing, Tony Finau was so good.”

As mentioned, it was Sainz and his partner Thomas who were victorious in the inaugural Netflix cup, although not much was left of the cup afterwards.

Whilst celebrating the victory, Sainz embarrassingly dropped the trophy, which broke into several pieces.

The Ferrari driver was a huge fan of the event and loved playing “with the pros”, although he didn’t particularly enjoying dropping the cup itself.

READ: Lewis Hamilton insists F1 can’t become a ‘circus’ amid Las Vegas complaints

“I enjoyed it a lot,” he said. “It’s been a fun week so far. Especially yesterday everyone I guess knows by now I am a big golf fan, golf freak, golf addict. However you want to call it!

“To get to play golf with the pros and to get to do it in a live event for Netflix in such a cool setting like the Wynn Hotel and all the fans there. A proper set up like they always do here. To get to win was a great feeling.

“A great way to start the week. Not so much breaking the trophy but good to actually get the chequered flag jacket – I found it cooler than the trophy.”

The post Pierre Gasly thrilled he ‘didn’t kill anyone’ appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The French outfit, despite experiencing a somewhat disappointing 2023 season, currently holds the sixth position in the constructors’ standings with five races remaining.

This surge of investment followed the entry of Hollywood actors and co-owners of League Two outfit Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, into the Alpine fold back in June. 

At the commencement of the season, Alpine also proudly unveiled Real Madrid and French World Cup winner, Zinedine Zidane, as a team ambassador.

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The latest chapter in Alpine’s journey to greatness introduces six remarkable additions to their roster of investors. 

Notable among these are Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, both of whom are two-time Super Bowl champions representing the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Alpine has also welcomed British boxing sensation Anthony Joshua, world-renowned golfer Rory McIlroy, Liverpool’s vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, and former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata.

Reportedly, Alpine has secured a substantial £173 million [$200 million] investment, facilitated by Otro Capital, a venture embraced by these six sporting luminaries along with Eberg Capital founder, Roger Ehrenberg.

The group of investors eagerly embraced this monumental opportunity, with NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes stating, “I’ve always had a passion for all sports. 

The opportunity to lead an investor group with Travis in Alpine F1 alongside Otro Capital was one I couldn’t pass up. 

“It’s an exciting time for the sport, and this is an opportunity to bring our shared values to the world stage.”

His teammate Travis Kelce added, “I am thrilled to lead an investor group and join forces with Patrick and the team at Otro Capital on this exciting venture with Alpine F1. 

“Our shared passion for excellence and innovation forms the cornerstone of this partnership. 

“It’s about being able to contribute to a sport that demands precision, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of success. 

“I am looking forward to this new chapter and can’t wait to see what we achieve together.”

The involvement of NFL stars holds particular significance, given the recent support of Taylor Swift, a notable supporter of the Chiefs, present at numerous games. T

he allure of Formula One may very well entice Swift, along with other Chiefs players, to future races, including those in Miami and Las Vegas during the 2024 season.

READ: Mick Schumacher takes major step to racing return

Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy, expressing his enthusiasm, shared a bicep flexing emoji on Instagram to highlight his involvement, stating, “Passion for excellence on the golf course has led me to admire the same pursuit in Formula 1. 

Partnering with Otro Capital in Alpine F1 is an exhilarating venture that unites my love for sports, competition, and the relentless drive to be the best.”

Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua eagerly seized the opportunity, asserting, “The heritage of the team, mixed with the global growth of Formula 1 as a sport and brand, made this a very serious proposition.”

The post Alpine announces new financial backers appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The celebrity investors are part of the Otro Capital investment group, which currently holds a 24 percent stake in the Alpine F1 team. 

While these new investors won’t directly contribute to the team’s budget, they bring prestige and diversification to the project.

Lewis Hamilton, with a net worth of £235 million, and Max Verstappen, valued at £74 million, are F1’s leading stars with a combined estimated net worth of £309 million. 

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However, Otro Capital had already boasted influential backers, including Hollywood personalities Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who own League Two football club Wrexham. 

Their involvement in the Alpine project in 2023 marked the beginning of this star-studded investment group.

In addition to McElhenney and Reynolds, seven more notable partners have joined the Otro Capital fold, including six renowned athletes and iconic U.S.-based investor Roger Ehrenberg. 

The new investors include football luminaries Juan Mata (£49 million) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£3 million), golf legend Rory McIlroy (£170 million), and boxing sensation Anthony Joshua, who is expanding his investment portfolio. 

Completing the group are Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes (£58 million) and Travis Kelce (£25 million).

When combined, these six athletes have an estimated collective net worth of £371 million. 

When added to Reynolds’ (£288 million) and McElhenney’s (£50 million) worth, the celebrity investors possess substantial financial power. 

Altogether, they represent a joint net worth of £709 million, which is more than double the combined net worth of Hamilton and Verstappen (£309 million).

Travis Kelce shared his enthusiasm for the Alpine F1 project, explaining, “I am thrilled to lead an investor group and join forces with Patrick and the team at Otro Capital on this exciting venture with Alpine F1. 

“Our shared passion for excellence and innovation forms the cornerstone of this partnership. 

“It’s about being able to contribute to a sport that demands precision, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of success. 

“I am looking forward to this new chapter and can’t wait to see what we achieve together.”

Patrick Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP, also expressed his excitement about the investment opportunity with Alpine F1, stating, “I’ve always had a passion for all sports. 

READ: Sergio Perez urged by team boss to run away from Max Verstappen

“The opportunity to lead an investor group with Travis in Alpine F1 alongside Otro Capital was one I couldn’t pass up. 

“It’s an exciting time for the sport, and this is an opportunity to bring our shared values to the world stage. 

“I’m looking forward to being a part of its growth.”

The post Alpine attracts investment from stars worth more than Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The circumstances surrounding this contentious manoeuvre appeared to be mired in miscommunication, with both drivers harbouring different interpretations of the team’s instructions. 

Gasly, waving his frustration at the team, was vocally displeased with the situation. 

However, with time to reflect on the events, Gasly adopted a more composed demeanour when addressing the matter in the lead-up to the Qatar Grand Prix.

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“Everything has been discussed, and I’ll leave it there,” Gasly initially stated, choosing not to delve further into the topic. 

When pressed about the “rules of engagement” within Alpine, he remained steadfast, saying, “As I said, everything has been discussed, and I have no further comment on that.”

Esteban Ocon also acknowledged that the incident had been the subject of internal discussions within the team but refrained from revealing the specifics of those conversations. 

He emphasised the importance of their discussions, stating, “We’ve discussed it internally, which is the most important [thing], and we know where we are going from now.”

Reflecting on the team’s past experiences with similar situations, Ocon commented, “But it’s been the similar thing a couple of years ago. 

“We’ve made those switches from one side or another, and the important [thing] for us as a team is to maximise the results that we can get, and we try to do that. 

“In that race, unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get one more position, so we made the switch back. 

“But, I mean, now we know where we’re going with the team, and that’s the most important.”

When asked if he understood Gasly’s frustration, Ocon expressed his preference for genuine racing regardless of the potential gains. 

He revealed, “I’m always on the side of I prefer to race, doesn’t matter what there is to gain in front. 

READ: Will Red Bull have 4 cars in F1 in 2024?

“There shouldn’t be artificial racing in any way, and I’m more of an old school guy on that one. 

“I just prefer to race, doesn’t matter what the circumstances [are], even if there is a podium to get in front. 

“But I also understand the side of the team, which is, you know, to try and get as many points as we can, which is normal so you need to understand both.”

The post Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly tight-lipped amid concerns  appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Last weekend in the Premier League, Liverpool had a goal ruled out against Tottenham; however, it was discovered that it should’ve actually been allowed.

Liverpool player Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside, only for the VAR to show that it was actually onside.

Despite this, the goal was still ruled out, with released audio having unveiled why this was the case.

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The released audio from the PGMOL showed that there’d been a clear case of miscommunication, with Liverpool having controversially gone on to lose the match.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for the game to be replayed; however, Gasly – who is a PSG fan – has insisted that like at Abu Dhabi in 2021, “referees also make mistakes”.

“The Liverpool [situation] was a bit of a surprise and definitely a talking point of the weekend,” Gasly said, ahead of Qatar, as reported by The Independent.

“We had a conversation last night and there were comments made about Abu Dhabi 2021.

“It’s sport – referees also make mistakes. It’s tough to swallow when you’re on the wrong side of it. But it’s sport, even though it shouldn’t happen sometimes, it does.”

Klopp believes a replay of the match is the only way to correct the situation, which he notes has “never happened” before.

The Liverpool manager believes that the released audio shows that the referee made an “obvious mistake”, something he states needs “solutions”.

However, whilst he’s called for the match to be conducted again, he doubts it’ll happen.

READ: Will Red Bull have 4 cars in F1 in 2024?

“Something like this never happened, so that is why I think a replay is the right thing to do,” Klopp said.

“The audio didn’t change it at all. It is an obvious mistake. There should be solutions for that. The outcome should be a replay. But it probably won’t happen.

“The argument against that would be it opens the gates. It is unprecedented. I’m used to wrong and difficult decisions, but something like this never happened.”

The post Pierre Gasly brings up Lewis Hamilton ‘robbery’ when discussing Liverpool controversy appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The team introduced significant revisions to its car at the Singapore Grand Prix last month, and while they anticipate one or two more minor updates later this year, Alpine’s focus has now shifted primarily to the development of their 2024 chassis.

Alpine’s Head of Trackside Engineering, Ciaron Pilbeam, explained, “I would say probably [that’s] the last major upgrade, but we’re not quite done yet. 

“We’ve got one or two other bits and pieces coming later in the year.”

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The Enstone-based outfit had a promising 2022 campaign, finishing fourth in the Constructors’ standings. 

However, this season has not lived up to expectations, and Alpine has struggled to replicate its previous performance.

The team’s driver lineup, featuring Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, both hailing from France, aimed to make an impact at the start of the season. 

Still, the drivers have faced challenges adapting to the A523 car in a turbulent year that has fallen short of Alpine’s ambitious goals.

Pierre Gasly candidly addressed the season’s performance, saying, “In terms of performance, it’s fair to say it doesn’t live up to the expectations going into the season. 

“We wanted to consolidate fourth in the teams’ championship. 

“We haven’t been able to do it with the progress of Aston Martin and McLaren.”

While Alpine’s 2023 season has not been without its highlights, including podium finishes for both drivers, the team acknowledges that their overall performance has been inconsistent and often dependent on the specific track.

Gasly reflected on the season’s achievements, saying, “Two top threes with the Sprints, in contention for the podium in Monaco. Strong in Melbourne, there’s been definitely some good performance. 

READ: ‘You don’t need Lewis’: Mercedes warned about Hamilton and Russell

“But I would say the package is too inconsistent, too track-dependent.”

Despite the challenges faced this year, Alpine remains determined to finish the season on a positive note and is already channeling its efforts into preparing for the 2024 season. 

With a focus on chassis development and an understanding of the areas that need improvement, the team is committed to returning stronger and more competitive in the next Formula 1 campaign.

The post Alpine deliver bad news to Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Gasly was left absolutely furious with the French team after last Sunday’s race, due to having been instructed on the final lap to relinquish P9 to Ocon.

The ex-AlphaTauri driver had started the race at Suzuka ahead of Ocon but fell behind his team-mate after being undercut.

However, when Gasly caught Ocon, Alpine inverted the duos positions, to allow Gasly to make the most of his fresher tyres and to see if he could catch Fernando Alonso.

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Gasly failed to catch the two-time World Champion and was therefore told by the Enstone-based team to give Ocon the place back, something he reluctantly did.

As he crossed the line, Gasly threw his hands in the air in anger, with him having been furious with the team’s decision.

Despite Gasly’s clear annoyance at the decision, Famin insists that asking him to give the place was back is “very normal” and that it hasn’t created any issues between the two French drivers.

“We don’t have any problem between the drivers,” Famin said, as reported by Motorsport Week.

“I think it’s [because] they are all fighting for having their own best results, which is normal and what they are paid for. But they are also paid for having the best team results.

“Of course, with the stress of the race, we may have some declarations [that are potentially] a bit strong, but I have absolutely no doubt about the drivers being on the same line together.

“For having the best team result, we left Pierre in front of Esteban to have the possibility – even if it was small – of trying to catch Fernando. This was not possible so to swap back is very normal.”

Gasly’s anger carried over into the media pen, where he informed several media outlets that he would talk to Alpine internally about why he was told to give up the position.

Famin admits that there is a possibility that communication gremlins were at play during the Japanese GP, something which he insists will be checked to ensure Gasly was given the correct information.

“This is the point we need to check to be totally transparent,” Famin continued.

READ: Sebastian Vettel makes surprising claim about defeating Max Verstappen

“I don’t know when it has been said, and that is the point we need to clarify. Sometimes we have communication problems because the line [radio signal] is not so good.

“Or sometimes the engineer thinks they are clear when they say something, but maybe sometimes the driver doesn’t record it because he is focused on something else.

“We need to check whether the driver received well the information. But anyway, the manoeuvre was done in the interests of the team, and I have absolutely no doubt that both drivers agree with that.

“If we have to do it a bit differently the other way [around] during the coming races, they will do it. They know that, and there is no tension. It is just execution of the race.”

The post Alpine break silence on ‘tension’ between Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

His angry behaviour came after Alpine instructed him to let Esteban Ocon overtake him on the final lap, something the ex-AlphaTauri driver disagreed with.

Gasly had started the race ahead of Ocon but was overtaken by his fellow Frenchman after being undercut by his team-mate, something which also appeared to annoy the Dutch Grand Prix podium finisher.

However, Alpine had made Ocon and Gasly invert positions after they’d both pitted, to see if Gasly could catch Fernando Alonso up ahead.

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As he failed to catch and overtake the two-time World Champion, the Enstone-based team ordered Gasly to give Ocon back P9.

When initially asked to give Ocon the position, Gasly’s response at first over the radio was: What the f***? You’re kidding me.”

He did follow team orders in the end but clearly wasn’t happy with the team’s call.

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After the race, Gasly admitted that he was “very frustrated” with the call on the final lap of the race and insisted that it’ll be discussed “internally”.

“I’m just very frustrated to need to swap position in the last lap. I don’t fully understand it,” Gasly said after the race, as reported by PlanetF1.com. “I don’t really see the need, but we’ll talk internally.”

With 2023 being Ocon’s fourth season with the French team he knows better than Gasly how they work, with him revealing that it’s always been the case that if you’re allowed past but make no progress, then you give the position back to your team-mate.

Ocon insisted that at Alpine “that’s how we’ve always done it”, something it appears Gasly will need to get used to.

READ: Mick Schumacher responds to signing Alpine contract

“I have been with this team for four years now and this rule has always been the same,” Ocon told Motorsport.com.

“If a driver changes position… and in this case, I gave the position to Pierre and he had to overtake Fernando to keep that position, otherwise you just give that position back to your team-mate.

“That’s how we’ve always done it. If I were on the other side [of the story], of course, I would do the same.”

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