Gasly and Colapinto deliver double Q3 result for Alpine in Baku
Pierre Gasly qualified seventh and Franco Colapinto tenth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Gasly confident Alpine can close the gap to Racing Bulls.
Alpine enjoyed a positive qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto reaching Q3. Gasly secured seventh on the grid, while Colapinto took tenth after a late lock-up at Turn 15. This double Q3 appearance marks a significant step forward for the team, which has been working to improve its performance after a challenging start to the season.
Alpine's Double Q3 Success in Baku
Gasly Confident in Alpine's Progress
Pierre Gasly expressed confidence in Alpine's recent gains, pointing to the team's strong showing in Baku qualifying as evidence of their progress. He noted that yellow flag interruptions during the session affected the final order, suggesting that without these disruptions, he might have started even higher up the grid, potentially ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Gasly's performance in Q3 reflects a run of improved form for Alpine, and he remains optimistic about the team's ability to convert qualifying pace into points during the race.
Colapinto's Q3 Performance and Areas for Improvement
Franco Colapinto, making the most of his opportunity in the Alpine, also reached Q3 but admitted there is still work to be done, particularly in the hard braking zones. His lock-up at Turn 15 on his final run cost him time, but he still managed to secure a top ten grid position. Colapinto's feedback highlights that while Alpine has made progress, there are still areas where the car and drivers can improve as the season unfolds.
Alpine's Battle with Racing Bulls in the Standings
With both cars starting inside the top ten, Alpine is in a strong position to challenge Racing Bulls, who currently hold the advantage in the Constructors' standings. The team faces a nine-point deficit to Racing Bulls, and closing this gap is a clear target for the coming races. Gasly and Colapinto's qualifying results in Baku give Alpine valuable opportunities to score points and strengthen their position in the midfield battle.
- Both Alpine cars reached Q3 for the first time this season, reflecting recent upgrades to the car.
- Gasly's qualifying performance continues a trend of improved results for the team.
- Colapinto's top ten finish in qualifying demonstrates the depth of talent in Alpine's driver line-up.
- Alpine's main rival in the midfield battle remains Racing Bulls, with a narrow points gap separating the two teams.
Looking Ahead: Race Prospects and Development Focus
Alpine's immediate focus will be on converting their strong qualifying positions into points during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team will also continue to work on improving performance in braking zones, as highlighted by Colapinto's feedback. With the midfield battle as close as ever, every point gained will be crucial in Alpine's efforts to climb the Constructors' standings.
The progress shown in Baku qualifying provides encouragement for both drivers and the team as they look to build on this momentum in upcoming races. Continued development and consistent performances will be key if Alpine is to achieve its goals for the season and challenge for the unofficial 'best of the rest' position behind the front-runners.
