At 27, driver Pierre Gasly has established himself as one of the best hopes in his discipline. Since his debut in Formula 1 in September 2017, the French champion has gone through ups and downs, like his victory at Monza in 2020 or his departure from the Red Bull Racing team in 2019. Since this season – although the Grand Prix de France is no longer on the calendar – the native of Normandy has been riding under the colors of the tricolor Alpine team, thus joining another Norman, his compatriot Esteban Ocon (replacing the Spaniard Fernando Alonso) .
The union between Alpine and Bell
Le Point: Does time pass differently when you’re alone in your car and driving over 340 km/h?
Pierre Gasly: ??We are clearly looking for every thousandth of a second. The precision of time, once in the race, is an unparalleled detail in my everyday life despite the fact that we have very tight schedules. In the single-seater, the actions follow one another at breakneck speed and timing management to gain a thousandth of a second in the qualifying session or in the full race makes the difference. For a pilot, this has a huge impact on our work, that is to say the objective of our whole life.
When you sit in the car, is that a sacred moment?
Time passes more slowly especially when you leave the track at 350 km/h and you are more in control of the car. I close the visor, the lights come on, the state of concentration reached in the cockpit at this precise moment is indescribable. A mixture of adrenaline, excitement and concentration. It’s an explosive cocktail that takes us into another dimension.
Is being a Formula 1 driver a race against time?
Free time is obviously the most valuable thing. Personally, I organize myself to maximize the time, regardless of the activities: sleep, recovery or phone calls to my family and loved ones. Succeeding in freeing up as much time as possible, yes, that is the number one priority.
So you have a mile an hour life?
Indeed, everything is millimeter. I always have an eye on the stopwatch and on a watch.
The longest minute of your life on the tracks?
Podiums in F1 are always special moments. But I would say without hesitation my victory at the Italian Grand Prix, at Monza, in September 2020. It was on the last laps, when I was chased by Carlos Sainz who was grabbing tenths everywhere. So I was on cloud nine for a few hours, but it always passes too quickly.
Are you looking forward to Silverstone?
With the mythical circuit of Monaco where you can feel the adrenaline and the danger a few millimeters from the walls, Silverstone is one of my favorite races. The track is iconic, fast, with opportunities for overtaking without forgetting the bubbling atmosphere due to the English public passionate about motorsport. Since the start of the season, we have been fighting between 8th, 9th and 10th place. The objective here is to get the points and get closer to the leading teams. A lot of waiting therefore, especially since the single-seater will present developments.
Are you more racing or qualifying?
Both. I enjoy everywhere. Once installed in the car, in competition, I am in my place.
A pilot who inspired you?
Ayrton Senna. He’s been a great champion and an inspiration since I was little and when I started on the track.
After Formula 1, what do you want to do?
Motorsport is my whole life. More than a passion, it’s an obsession and I need it every day. I obviously have a lot of interests besides racing but for the moment, the question does not arise. I will be on the circuits for at least ten years.
Finally, you are starting your first season with the French Alpine team. Does that mean a lot to you?
The story with Alpine is fabulous. I am from Rouen, Alpine is from Dieppe. The filiation was natural, especially since I won my first single-seater European championship with Renault. I knew logically that my story would lead me to Alpine. It is a great pride especially as a Frenchman. It’s a project in which I deeply believe with a team with enormous potential. Now the objective is clear: to win in Formula 1. We are not there yet and we will have to work.
