Gasly ecstatic after securing P6 in constructors' for Alpine

Pierre Gasly continued his strong run of form that he and Alpine discovered late in the season, making the most of their surge in performance to obtain sixth in the constructors’ standings in Abu Dhabi.

The Frenchman had scored just nine points in the 20 rounds prior to the team's remarkable performance in Brazil that saw him and Esteban Ocon both finish on the podium – a crucial boost that Gasly continued to build on to round out the year.

Heading to the Yas Marina Circuit with a new team mate in Jack Doohan, who will be driving alongside the 28-year-old full-time in 2025, Gasly had one mission: to maintain the five-point lead that he had been instrumental in building over their nearest rivals, Haas.

He then benefitted from Nico Hulkenberg receiving a three-place grid penalty after qualifying, which promoted him to P5 on the starting grid – while he lost out to the superior pace of Red Bull and Mercedes, he crossed the line in seventh, three seconds ahead of the Haas driver.

Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A524 Renault drives on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) — Gasly finished the season with 42 points, just one more than Hulkenberg

“I’m so happy, it was a very long season,” Gasly said after the race. “We had one target coming to Abu Dhabi – it was to secure that sixth in the constructors’. Our target was achieved.

“There was also the drivers’ championship with Nico where we were within a point coming into the last race, so we knew whoever beat the other would get that 10th spot in the championship which I managed to get in the end.

“Kept our nose clean the entire season for no damage so the three targets were completed! I’m just very pleased to see the evolution and how the car’s developed – [it] really shows all the work, and the good work the team has done throughout the whole season. It gives me confidence for next season.”

Alpine came out on top amid a remarkably tight midfield battle despite numerous changes at the team – from Ocon’s premature depature to shutting down their engine programme, and Oliver Oakes becoming Team Principal mid-season, it has been a rollercoaster of a season for them.

Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan pose with their team after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 07, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — Alpine will be one of three teams to run a rookie driver next season, along with Mercedes and Kick Sauber

Gasly appeared keen to carry their newfound performance into next season, which will be the last before major regulation changes come into effect in 2026 and the team switch to using Mercedes power units.

He said: “We still have a big gap with the guys ahead but I’m very pleased to see that whatever we’re finding at the factory really translates into performance at the track.

“We started very far away and I kept telling them the whole year it doesn’t matter where we start, it’s important where we finish, to really understand what we’re doing and develop the car and get some good understanding for ‘25.

“I think we’ve never looked as strong as during these last final few races. It’s got me excited for next season – at least I’m going to be slightly more relaxed over the winter and I know they’ve got more performance coming. I think as a team we’re heading in the right direction.”