London, Tuesday noon. Back at his hotel, Pierre Gasly apologizes for the slight delay for the appointment made a week earlier. “I'm sorry, blows the French pilot from Alpha Tauri. I was in the simulator
(Editor's note: cockpit which exactly reproduces the circuits around the world)
at Red Bull, to prepare for the Paul-Ricard
(Editor's note: at Castellet, where the French Grand Prix takes place this Sunday at 3 p.m.)
and the one in Austria
(Editor's note: the weekends of June 26-27 and July 3-4)
. “For each, 150 laps on the program, almost triple the race in real life.
If there is, on the other hand, one thing for sure, it is that the 25-year-old Normand has done everything to be on time in each race since the start of the season.
In six events, he has finished five times in points.
In Azerbaijan, two weeks ago, the winner of the Italian Grand Prix last year stood on the podium (3rd) for the 3rd time in his career.
A real performance, when we know that his car is technically more in the middle of the pack.
While all the lights are green, the darling of the French public is engaged.
Does the French GP have a special place in the season?
PIERRE GASLY.
It's a certainty !
I am very excited to participate.
For Esteban
(Editor's note:
Ocon, who has just extended to Alpine
)
and me, it's a real pleasure to ride in our country and in front of our supporters.
The tricolor flags will rotate.
It is a feeling that goes beyond the energy it provides.
Is there a collusion between French pilots?
Yes, I can tell.
With Esteban, younger, we always trained together, we evolved with the same dream, that of driving an F1 one day.
He is Norman like me, it's quite incredible to think that there are two pilots from the same region among the twenty on the field!
Great Friday 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
Feels good to be driving here.
Difficult conditions so far, we need to find more performance for tomorrow.
Focus on qualifying!
pic.twitter.com/wlJ7TPoc6g
- PIERRE GASLY 🇫🇷 (@PierreGASLY) June 18, 2021
And with the others?
These last two years, the rapprochement between all is very impressive, despite the differences between generations.
I get along really well with Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
The only one who remains a little apart is Kimi Räikkönen.
He doesn't talk much, but that's in his nature.
Charles (Leclerc) is my best friend.
We have also known each other since we were little.
There is great respect outside, but on the track, we don't give each other gifts!
What do you think of Alpine's presence in the paddock?
It's interesting to see this legendary name in F1.
In addition, he comes from my region (Dieppe)!
This team has a good plan and is evolving with each race.
And then Fernando (Alonso) is a great champion, he was nevertheless titled twice even if it was about fifteen years ago ...
After your 3rd place in Baku, you said you wanted to know at all costs why the car drove so well.
In general, it is rather when it does not work that we ask ourselves questions!
The level of performance of my vehicle was a surprise to everyone.
And I think, like my team, that it is important to seek to understand things in all circumstances.
This allows us to evolve for the races to come.
We saw what we could keep in the positive and we will try to renew it here at Le Castellet, knowing that each track is different.
Read alsoBlue, white, red ... The French take color at Castellet for the French F1 Grand Prix
How do you prepare for your shopping?
I do a lot of running, and also bike and weight training.
I spend a lot of time with my physical trainer, it's essential.
The mind also plays a lot.
I am quite calm by nature and have learned to control myself even more over time.
I was under a lot of pressure when I was little for a very simple reason: I knew that flying lessons were very expensive, but I didn't know if my parents could provide for it.
Each year it was a matter of survival.
The year 2020 was very special with the Covid, which changed the calendar and the racing conditions.
What were the consequences for you?
It was very complicated for everyone.
My victory at Monza, the culmination of one of my dreams, hid all the bad sides.
The appearance of the virus has put things in perspective as to the freedom of all of us.
We do not necessarily realize how important it is, like all the small pleasures that accompany it.
I am very sociable and I need to feel this kind of relationship with things and people.
It's my way of disconnecting from my job.
You are young, how do you see your professional future?
My goal is of course to be world champion and I will be very clear: I want to be in a car that will allow me to achieve it.
If I am given the right weapons, I can do it.
I'm very happy to ride for Alpha Tauri, but there is better.
Do you think of Red Bull for example?
They have the best performing car and show it in every race.
It happened what happened
(Pierre Gasly started F1 in 2018 with Toro Rosso, former name of Alpha Tauri, the second team of Red Bull. Tenured with the latter the following year, he was demoted mid-season in favor of Alex Albon, himself replaced this year by Sergio Perez)
, but it's not impossible that we can work together again.
Under different conditions, of course.
Finally, as a supporter of the PSG football team and the France team, how do you see its course at the Euro?
She's amazing and, on paper, we're the leaders!
No one will be able to resist him.
So I see her go to the end and lift the trophy.
