Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto target strong finish in Monza | F1 Italian GP. After a challenging Dutch Grand Prix, Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto head to Monza.

Gasly and Colapinto aim for redemption at Monza

After a Dutch Grand Prix full of twists but devoid of points, Alpine is preparing to race at one of the circuits that best embody speed: Monza. This weekend carries special significance, albeit in different ways, for Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto. Gasly previously claimed his first Formula 1 victory here, while Colapinto made his debut at Monza just a year ago with Williams.

The Italian round therefore becomes a key milestone for the French team, which wants to put the disappointment of Zandvoort behind them and close the European season with a solid result.

Gasly and Colapinto ahead of Monza

Pierre Gasly, disappointed after the Dutch race, is looking ahead to Monza with confidence: “There are many lessons to take from Zandvoort after a complicated Sunday. It was a chaotic race, where points were possible, but our gamble on the hard tyres didn’t pay off. The battles were still intense and fun, which is always the type of race I enjoy. It’s just a bit frustrating not to have been rewarded at the end. Monza is obviously a place close to my heart, as I achieved my first Formula 1 victory here in 2020. It’s almost like a home race since I live in Milan and can sleep in my own bed over the weekend—a real luxury with all the travel we do! The circuit is rich in history, and its extremely fast nature makes it unique. The long straights favor overtaking, but the slower corners, especially the first chicane, must be approached perfectly. We’re already working hard to learn from Zandvoort and finish the European season with a strong team result.”

Franco Colapinto, on the other hand, experienced his best weekend since replacing Jack Doohan in the Netherlands: “It was great to achieve my best result of the season, finishing eleventh in Zandvoort. Many things happened that allowed us to fight for points, so congratulations to everyone on how we managed the scenarios. Being so close to the top ten and just missing it was satisfying, because it shows our progress, but also a little frustrating, as it really came down to tiny details. We learned a lot over the weekend, which will be useful for the final sprint. I made my Formula 1 debut last year at Monza, so I’m looking forward to returning, this time with more experience. I enjoyed the circuit with the team at the start of the year—it’s a track I like. With its high speeds and long straights, it’s one of the most loved and historic tracks on the calendar. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel in free practice 2 and start our weekend well.”