Confirmed at Alpha Tauri this week, Pierre Gasly intends to shine on the grounds of the Italian team at Monza. As he had done last year, where he won the bet to everyone’s surprise.
“Accelerated ! Accelerated !” This lyrical flight by Julien Febreau passed down to posterity celebrates its first candle. A year ago, Pierre Gasly achieved the resounding feat of bringing his modest Alpha Tauri to the first step of the podium at Monza. A year later, nothing has changed and will not change, since the Normand has been confirmed in the Italian team for next season. “I am very happy to continue with Alpha Tauri for a new season in Formula 1, especially considering the progress made since I joined the team in 2017.“, Commented the person on Tuesday, at the announcement of his extension.
However, this first victory in Formula 1 last September, the first of a Frenchman in the queen category for 24 years, could legitimately have made him aspire to an otherwise more prestigious team. But neither Red Bull, who was downgraded in mid-season in 2019 (to Alpha Tauri) and extended Sergio Perez alongside the untouchable Max Verstappen, nor other stables have released a bucket for the current 8e of the world championship. While social networks and some rumors evoked an interest of Toto Wolff and Mercedes, the German team chose the British nugget George Russell to share the team with the hegemonic Lewis Hamilton.
Second house
For his part, Pierre Gasly takes his pain patiently. While continuing to perform. His fourth place in Zandvoort, after a masterful Sunday, is another example. On the narrow Batavian track, the Frenchman even offered a nice overtaking on the double world champion Fernando Alonso (Alpine). “You can’t really hope for better, agreed the Normand after the race. I am very satisfied, the car was fast, I was able to set it up as I wanted and the team did a fantastic job all weekend. Today (Sunday), we were flying!»
This bodes well before returning to the similar track at Monza, where Gasly had shone a year ago. On his host land: “It’s like a second home after the French Grand Prix because I live 15 kilometers from the circuit, rejoices the regional of the stage, all the more expected at the turn. This weekend is going to be a big novelty for me by finding a circuit where I was the last to win. I am convinced that there will be plenty of tifosi, unlike last year when it was very strange not to find them, because they are an integral part of the environment in Monza. It promises to be very special, it will remind me of an unforgettable moment from last season.»
Read alsoPierre Gasly: ”People no longer recognize me in the street”
Qualifications sprint
Headliner expected in the heart of the Temple of Speed, the Norman will have to start by achieving a good qualification, on a circuit where the session always has its share of uncertainties related to the traffic that accumulates on the track. 10e on the grid last year, Gasly had mainly benefited from unusual circumstances in the race with a restart and a penalty for Hamilton. A subscriber to the passages in Q3, the Frenchman is one of the fastest drivers despite a modest car, which places him regularly as “best of the rest“(Best of the rest, namely behind Mercedes and Red Bull) when it comes to qualifying. At Monza, qualification is essential. However, this year, it will no longer be enough, since as at Silverstone and Interlagos (12-14 November), it is the format of the “sprint” qualification that has been retained.
Read alsoFormula 1 tests the “sprint” qualifications
Thus, the qualifying session for the Italian GP will take place this Friday (6 p.m.) and will give rise to the starting grid for the sprint race (one third of the race) on Saturday (4.30 p.m.), which will give rise to the starting grid. departure Sunday. In Great Britain, the Norman, never as comfortable as when he ran after the stopwatch, had won no place on the grid (12e). «I hope I can get another major result here but we have to keep in mind that it will be a sprint qualification, tempers Gasly. After Silverstone we know what to expect but with the traffic jams in qualifying and in the race it will take on a whole new dimension..»
One thing is certain, the 25-year-old pilot, who remains on brilliant 5e, 6e and 4e places, does not aim for anything other than the podium. History to delight a stable of Faenza who trusts him completely and in which he does not hide to thrive. Before going higher. Before that, he would like to regain the podium honors already known in Baku at the beginning of June (3rd). “Sunday (last) I have to admit I was hoping something happened with the top trio so I could taste that champagne from the podium again.“. It is now prosecco, especially in Italy. But that will surely delight Gasly: he has a first birthday to celebrate this Sunday.
.
