Gasly: ​​“It needs to be clearer about what we can do” on the track

It's difficult to move on when the news keeps bringing you back to the past. The duel between Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix (Brazil) continues to generate ink, almost a week after rivals for the title went beyond the limits of the track in a particularly daring maneuver by the Dutchman:

The behavior of the championship leader was not deemed worthy of sanction by the panel of commissioners of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. On Wednesday, Mercedes requested a review from the FIA ​​based on the broadcast of the Red Bull's front on-board camera. A re-examination which will be carried out this Thursday in the Losail paddock (Qatar).

While waiting for the FIA ​​verdict, Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) responded to questions from our special correspondent regarding this whole controversy. The Frenchman admits that he is like many followers in front of their television screen: it is not easy to follow the logic of the marshals throughout the races, nor to predict their attitude in the event of a dispute on the track.

“I act on instinct!” I even asked my team for clarification on what is and isn't possible when attacking a competitor. For me, as a driver, it’s not easy. When we see the scenarios between Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso in Austin (it plays a role, said the FIA), Alonso and Giovinazzi in Austin (penalty for the Spaniard), Max and Lewis in Sao Paulo, and the different reactions of the commissioners... Sometimes they ask to let the opponent pass, or they give a five-second penalty or do nothing. It's not very clear ", advances the Norman.

Fernando loves a challenge ⚔️💪 #USGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/Ro9nZRmfUz

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2021

The inconsistency of the officials is also detectable in their management of the first turns. “The same goes for departures. In Turkey, I took a five-second penalty for my contact with Fernando, while in Mexico, what happened Daniel Ricciardo was not even investigated (by the FIA). However, he still released Valtteri Bottas, who had made the pole! A lot of things are incomprehensible about these last Grands Prix, and it needs to be clearer about what we can do. »

According to the winner of the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, the asphalt runoffs encourage drivers to allow themselves more extreme gestures. Enough to make pilots in a defensive situation want to go beyond reasonable limits. “If we put gravel behind (the vibrator), it is all good. The approach to a corner in Monaco is not at all the same because there is no run-off, but a rail. We never find ourselves in this kind of situation (than Brazil). It is good to increase security but in this specific case, it is a bad side.

OWe would not have had this incident 15 years ago, or both pilots would have been killed. When we go off the track, there should be a penalty. Not having consequences for this kind of behavior is not possible. »

Or with more rational

His compatriot Esteban Ocon (Alpine) is intended to be more measured. The man who won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix easily sets a limit not to be crossed. “As long as there is no collision between two cars, there should be no penalty. It is when the collision or spin occurs that the penalty becomes legitimate. I have never seen a penalty when there was no contact. We will see how this will happen in the future. »

The extra-sporting offensives provoked by this pass of arms are also very legitimate according to the Norman. “It’s normal that Red Bull and Mercedes push so much off the track to gain points. One or two points could make the difference at the end of the championship. I totally understand it. As a driver, I prefer it to be honest, rough but simpler, without all this discussion. It’s normal that with only 14 points difference at this stage of the season, there are these complaints. »

(Comments collected by Julien Billiotte, in Losail)