Gasly – “I said to Charles: ‘Please go win it for Anthoine’”

Pierre Gasly would have enjoyed a more joyful reunion with Toro Rosso in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The Frenchman nevertheless scored the points for ninth place, a good performance if we take into account his location on the grid (14th). Alas, the death of his friend Anthoine Hubert the day before had clearly shaken him.

“It was the most emotional pre-Grand Prix protocol, explained the 2 GP2016 Series champion after the race. When you are 22-23 years old, you are not ready to experience this kind of event, to losing one of your best friends. 

I grew up with Anthoine since we were seven and we started in karting. We were roommates, we lived together for six years. We were classmates until we were 18. We had the same teachers, he recalls.

Racing with Anthoine # AH19 #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/BaQA7eSqiW

- Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) September 1, 2019

I am still shocked. I don't believe it, I don't realize how everything can change so quickly. It's terrible. I'm already planning to get all our mutual friends together Monday because no one realizes what happened on Saturday”, announces Pierre Gasly.

The Norman even went to meet Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) before leaving. “I went to see Charles and told him: “Please go win this one for Anthoine”. We all started competing the same year. And Anthoine won the French Cup in 2005. 

We've been running together for so many years, we've known each other forever. Between Jules (Bianchi, Editor’s note) a few years ago, Anthoine now, these are terrible losses for French motorsport because they are two great personalities. I can't realize », repeated the former pilot Red Bull.

Anthoine Hubert, died Saturday after an accident in a long race Formula 2, however, did not occupy Pierre Gasly's thoughts during the Grand Prix. " It is necessary (block your emotions. Editor’s note) when you are driving, otherwise you can't run. 

.@PierreGASLY's in the mix too

He's putting the pressure on Ricciardo for P9! Time for #FULLGAS! #BelgianGP pic.twitter.com/Gdi2AZfUDR

- Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) September 1, 2019

When you lower the visor and the formation lap begins, you have to be 100% in what you are doing, in the zone, in a different state of mind. Of course, as soon as I passed the checkered flag, my first thoughts were of Anthoine. And I was very happy to score those two points for him. »

This tragedy served as a reminder of how dangerous motor racing was. “During the summer break, I spoke to people who are not pilots about safety. And I heard: « Oh there F1 is so safe these days, especially when compared to the past”. And I pretty much agreed with them. 

When you're in the car, I feel really safe and I feel like almost nothing can happen to me. But at these kinds of speeds, reality catches up with you. When something happens over 200 km/h, you can do whatever you want, these kinds of tragedies can happen. 

We accept him as a pilot. It's a terrible reminder of how dangerous motorsport can be. I am very sad that this involves one of my close friends. »