Pierre Gasly to Start Miami Grand Prix from Pit Lane After Alpine… Read more
Pierre Gasly will not be lining up on the starting grid for the Miami Grand Prix after Alpine opted to make changes to his car that resulted in a breach of parc fermé conditions. This decision means Gasly will start the race from the pit lane, rather than from his originally scheduled 18th place.
The French driver was initially set to start near the back of the grid after a disappointing qualifying session, during which he was outpaced by team-mate Jack Doohan. This marked the first time Doohan has outqualified Gasly in a Formula 1 Grand Prix setting. However, Alpine has since decided to implement changes to Gasly’s car’s setup, a move which violates the strict parc fermé regulations enforced after qualifying and before the race. As per FIA regulations, any such changes outside of the permitted scope require the driver to start from the pit lane.
Although no details have been disclosed regarding the specific setup adjustments made by Alpine, such modifications typically relate to suspension, aerodynamics, or other mechanical configurations aimed at improving car performance or handling. Given Gasly’s low starting position, the team may have felt the potential gains outweighed the penalty of losing grid placement.
As a result of this decision, the Miami GP grid will see a slight reshuffle. With Gasly vacating his original grid slot, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin moves up to 18th position. Meanwhile, Ollie Bearman, who had qualified last, is now promoted to 19th place. This minor change affects the rear end of the field but will be of particular importance to those drivers hoping to make early gains in the race.
The decision adds to what has already been a challenging weekend for Alpine, a team currently struggling to find consistent form this season. Having one driver starting from the pit lane and another—rookie Doohan—starting near the back puts the team on the back foot heading into the race. However, the setup changes might provide Gasly with a car better suited to racing conditions, potentially aiding him in moving up the order as the race unfolds.
Starting from the pit lane allows teams to make otherwise restricted setup changes, but it also comes with strategic limitations, such as waiting for the entire field to pass the pit exit before joining the race. It remains to be seen whether Alpine’s gamble will pay off, but with limited expectations from such a low starting position, the team is clearly aiming to maximize any opportunity for improvement during the race.
