Gasly: ​​“More and more comfortable in the cockpit”

A week after his unsuccessful Japanese trip (Super Formula race canceled at Suzuka, but vice-champion title all the same), Pierre Gasly put on his wetsuit again Toro Rosso for the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Frenchman will participate in his third event in Formula 1 on behalf of Toro Rosso, after a 14th place at Sepang (Malaysia) and a 13th position in Suzuka (Japan), experiences that he describes as “awesome”. “Of course, starting in F1 is always a special time and for me Malaysia was really something crazy. I loved it, and even if arriving in these conditions at the end of the season is never easy, I tried to make the most of my situation. I now feel more and more comfortable in the cockpit, lap after lap. So, I guess it will get better and better as the races go on.”, analyzes the French pilot.

The Rouennais remains positive despite this sluggish end to the campaign. “In Japan, I had a strange weekend. I went there with a knife between my teeth, very motivated to fight for the title. Ultimately, the organizers canceled both rounds due to the typhoon, but that doesn't stop me from having good memories of this season in Super Formula. Finishing 2nd for a beginner is no small thing. »

The 2 GP2016 Series champion will compete in the next three rounds of F1, before moving on to 2018, still in the reserve team. Red Bull. “I’m going to do my best to put in some great performances, I’m looking forward to the next few weeks! » The Frenchman must team up with a new teammate, Brendon Hartley. At only 21 years old, Pierre Gasly actually becomes the most experienced driver in the team. “It’s a bit strange because I’ve only done two GPs before. We are both newbies, it’s exciting to find ourselves in this position; It’s a great opportunity,” he concluded.

Relive Pierre Gasly's Japanese weekend in issue 2137 of AUTOHebdo, available now in digital version on all the platforms and on newsstands.