F1 News: Pierre Gasly Speaks Out After Shocking Alpine Dismissals

Pierre Gasly hasn't allowed it to sink in yet.

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane's exit from Alpine during the Belgian GP sent shockwaves not only throughout the team but also across the paddock.

The movements occurred as a result of a restructuring process which also saw CEO Laurent Rossi move on to manage 'special projects.' Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry who would join Williams later this year was not spared either. Vice President of Alpine Motorsports Bruno Famin has taken charge as interim team boss since. 

Sadly, the movements seem like they've had negative repercussions on the team's morale. Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly received the news as a shock that hasn't sunk in yet. Expressing gratitude to his ex-colleagues, he said:

"Obviously there have been a few changes and I haven't really had time to sit down and let everything sink in.

"But I think the most important [thing] for me to say right now is I just want to thank Laurent [Rossi], Otmar [Szafnauer], Alan [Permane] and Pat [Fry] for their effort and their work with me since the start of the year.

"It hasn't been the smoothest season and I think no one is pleased with the performance, but I wish them the very best for their future."

Despite the raging controversies in the board room, Gasly managed to finish third in the sprint race at Spa. Speaking on the mixed feeling, he further stated: 

"I think what's most important for me is the impact that it has inside the team – more than the podium itself.

"It's a sprint race. It obviously sounds good and you get a little trophy, but you don't really jump on the box and stand on the podium.

"It's a slightly different feeling, but nonetheless we take it. We finished that sprint race in the top three. It was difficult conditions and not easy to keep it to the end.

"I'm really, really pleased for the guys, for the mood inside the garage, and everyone who’s been working since the start of the year."

As Gasly recovers from the shock, it would be interesting to see what lay in store ahead for Alpine.