Former team boss Abiteboul: 'Alpine needs a Verstappen or Hamilton'
F1 News
Cyril Abiteboul himself can talk about it. As former team boss of Renault - now Alpine - he knows how unsettled things can be at the French team. Currently, it is no different: the leadership has almost entirely fallen by the wayside, all in the hope that Alpine can take the long-awaited step towards the top in the near future.
Alpine has Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly for that, two French drivers who know what it is like to win a Grand Prix. Also two drivers who are very evenly matched. Thus, the mutual qualifying duel after 12 Grands Prix is six against six. There is no clear number one driver at Alpine. According to Abiteboul, therein lies part of the problem.
Abiteboul would opt for one leader
Speaking to France Info, the Frenchman addressed his former employer's situation: "Two names is one too many. Close your eyes and think of Mercedes. Then you think of Lewis Hamilton, even though Nico Rosberg has done extraordinary things. When you think of Red Bull, in the first cycle you think of Sebastian Vettel. Now the second cycle of Max Verstappen. There has to be a driver who is something like the team leader, that is fundamental. Right now the grid is extremely competitive, all the cars finish on the same lap. Soon the cars will be almost equal [in terms of strength]. Then ambition and determination will make the difference."
The length of driver contracts is almost never disclosed. Both Ocon and Gasly reportedly have ongoing commitments for 2024 as well. Gasly is also said to have an option for the following season. Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is Jack Doohan, the reserve driver hoping for an entry into Formula 1.