Pierre Gasly fired up for Monaco Grand Prix inspired by PSG winning Champions League

The Monte Carlo race, Round 6 of the World Championship opens a double header before the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and returns Formula 1 to a traditional format for the first time since the Japanese Grand Prix in March, with 3 practice sessions before Qualifying.

Gasly heads to Monaco after spending time at Enstone, where he worked on the simulator and with Alpine engineers following a difficult but productive Canadian weekend that delivered the team’s strongest points haul of the season.

In his team's preview of the weekend in Monte Carlo, Gasly said: “I am looking forward to Monaco this weekend, one of my favourite Grand Prix events of the season. It is one of those tracks which has so much prestige and history, so it is a pleasure to drive a Formula 1 car here every year.

"Qualifying is obviously a highlight for us drivers as it is when we are absolutely at the limit and you have this amazing rush of adrenaline which is a unique feeling that only a few of us get to experience. We come off the back of our best team result of the season in Canada with a big haul of points.

"While this is quite positive, we know the weekend was far from smooth for many different reasons. I spent a bit of time at Enstone last week on the simulator and with the engineers to work through a lot of things as we try to improve my comfort in the car. We have been putting the hours in to be prepared for this double header across Monaco and Barcelona where we aim to continue our points-scoring streak.

"I also enter race week with a bit of a smile on my face after PSG went back-to-back by winning the Champions League again! That certainly made me happy and I hope I can be equally as pleased this weekend with another good performance in the car," declared the Frenchman.

Colapinto also arrives in Monaco after an intensive week with Alpine, including simulator work at Enstone and a short visit to Paris for his birthday. The Argentine lives in Monaco and will drive the circuit in Free Practice 1 on Friday.

He said: “It's been a very eventful week off for the team since the race in Montréal and one that's been very positive as we look to continue our strong momentum. I was in the simulator straight away on the Monday after the race and worked hard with the team before a quick visit to Paris on my birthday, which I think you might have seen!

“I was straight back to Enstone for more time with the team afterwards to get ready for the start of the busy European season and Monaco, one of the best races of the year. The street track is one of the most exciting for a racing driver with the barriers so close, I'm looking forward to seeing how it feels in this year's lighter and more agile cars.

“I live in Monaco so I've seen them build the track when I've been at home and I can't wait to get on track myself in Free Practice 1 on Friday. We're back to a traditional schedule, for the first time since Suzuka, so we'll be able to get a feel for the track and build up confidence every session.

“That's the key to making sure we enter Qualifying ready to push to the maximum. It's exhilarating to keep going faster and faster and as overtaking is so tricky around the track, Saturday is probably the most important all year. It's going to be a busy weekend, and our target is to once again finish in the top-10 and continue our solid performance," added the Argentine driver.

Alpine’s Academy drivers will also race in Monaco, with Gabriele Mini leading the FIA Formula 2 standings after a strong Montréal weekend. Mini and Alex Dunne both scored podium finishes in Canada, while Kush Maini added a points result before the championship moved to Monte Carlo.