David Croft makes ‘kangaroo juice’ claim about one car at Saudi Arabian GP

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Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft says the Alpine of Pierre Gasly looked like it contained ‘kangaroo juice’ before the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Gasly reported a gearbox problem on the formation lap and Alpine subsequently told him to retire the car on the first lap.

And Croft shared his observations on the state of the Alpine moments before the race.

It was another miserable weekend for the Frenchman in Saudi Arabia as he qualified in 18th place before his issues denied him the chance to meaningfully compete on Saturday.

He’d come home in 18th at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after recording the slowest time of all 20 drivers in qualifying.

Alpine initially told Gasly to take the start as normal, but they couldn’t find a fix and swiftly conceded defeat.

The 28-year-old suffered the first mechanical retirement of the new season after all 20 cars took the chequered flag in Bahrain.

Teammate Esteban Ocon delivered an improved 13th place for Alpine but was still a long way from scoring points.

David Croft says Alpine of Pierre Gasly didn’t look healthy

Watching onboard footage of Gasly’s car taking its place on the starting grid, Croft noted that it appeared to be almost hopping to its starting position.

He said: “That looks like he’s got Kangaroo juice in the car.”

Co-commentator Karun Chandhok added: “That is adding to the tale of woe that has been the start to Alpine’s season.”

Gasly linked with Mercedes drive

Gasly may wind up considering his future at Alpine if the team’s fortunes don’t improve quickly.

Along with more than half the grid, he’s out of contract at the end of the 2024 season.

He joined a team that had finished fifth in the constructors’ standings in 2021 with 155 points and even scored a win through Ocon at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The manufacturer team would have had ambitions of challenging some of the big names in the sport but its performance has fallen off a cliff.

Gasly has already been linked with the vacant Mercedes drive ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.

There were signs of his frustration when he was heard ‘ranting a lot’ during last weekend’s race in Bahrain.