Szafnauer: Gasly meets our criteria to a tee

Alpine announced - over the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix weekend - that Pierre Gasly would join their ranks in 2023 replacing the Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso, after they also failed to keep their junior driver Oscar Piastri under contract, the latter joining McLaren for 2023.

Asked about how it came about to hire Gasly, Szafnauer said: "Well, we had, as everyone knows, we had a seat available around the summer break, and then we started looking around as to who would be a best fit, and we had some criteria to work to.

"And the three things we wanted was naturally speed: a fast driver; one with experience and also youth at the same time. Adding all three things up, there aren't many people that have all that and Pierre definitely does. We thought he was a great fit for us. So, we put him on our shortlist, and then went about getting it done," he explained.

Quizzed at what moment in time did Alpine start their driver shopping, amid the Alonso's decision to leave, the team boss revealed: "It was maybe a week or so. Not even. I mean, shortlist first.

"When it looked like Oscar wasn't 100% certain with some of the contractual issues that we had, then we started working on a shortlist of who else it could be, and Pierre was on it."

One of the drivers that were linked to the vacant Alpine seat was Daniel Ricciardo, their former driver from the days they were called Renault.

Asked whether or not the Aussie was considered, Szafnauer responded: "Well, you know, at the beginning we discussed with a few drivers, including Daniel and, you know, Pierre meets the criteria that I said to a tee.

"He's experienced fast and young. So, when it became evident that Pierre was a possibility we made our shortlist even shorter," he revealed.

Gasly will be joining Esteban Ocon at Alpine, and the two drivers do not have the best history of getting along personally, which may be an inconvenience for the team.

When that point was highlighted to him, Szafnauer said: "Yeah, I mean, we made an informed decision. And that means talking to the entire team, including Esteban beforehand, to make sure that if we did make a decision, it's a team sport and we have to be able to work together and optimise.

"And Esteban was very supportive, Pierre as well," he insisted. "They're professionals and they have no issue working together. And hopefully, the friendship will rekindle.

"They were friends at one point, but from a professional perspective, they're both very happy to work with each other," Szafnauer maintained.