Gasly has the impression of having signed “the mid-grid pole”

Christian Horner's comments should always be taken with a pinch of salt. However, when the former boss of Pierre Gasly claimed Friday in Brazil that his ex-pilot was driving “ exceptionally good » since his return home Toro Rosso, we can say that the British manager was in good faith. 

Very comfortable under the Italian colors since the end of the summer break, the Norman once again reminded Sao Paulo that his peak speed had not vanished between Faenza and Milton Keynes. 

While his teammate Daniil Kvyat stopped in Q1 at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Gasly not only reached Q3 but also took away the honorary title of “ best of the rest » behind the representatives of the three top teams. 

Four Q3s in a row
Starts P6

A great Saturday for @PierreGASLY #BrazilGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Z7C5BZ3w1f

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 17, 2019

« For a team like ours, it's as if we had won pole position from the middle of the grid, enthused the former GP2 Series champion in the Interlagos paddock on Saturday afternoon. I am very happy to have achieved this lap, which is undoubtedly my best in qualifying with Toro Rosso. It's all the more satisfying on a nervous and short track where the difference comes down to very small details. It's a great feeling. 

We knew we were performing well but we also knew that we could very well stop in Q1, as happened for Daniil, or enter Q3. Yesterday, there were only 3 tenths between 7th and 15th place and we know that the others often manage to find more performance on Saturday by using slightly more aggressive engine modes. So we didn't expect to achieve this result, which is why it is all the more delicious. Thanks to Charles' penalty (Leclerc), we will start 6th ».

Slowed down by an engine problem in Free Practice 2 on Friday afternoon, Gasly says he will approach the Brazilian Grand Prix “ a little blindly » but is happy to find herself again « in the best possible position » to score essential points in the perspective of the Manufacturers' championship. Despite the stakes, the Frenchman assures that he will not play hotheaded to regain the point which separates Toro Rosso from Racing Point.

« You must have the same approach on all races, he justified himself. No one wants to hold on at first but everyone wants to defend their position. It's a balance to find. Both Haas are in the area: it can be an advantage or a disadvantage, we'll see. It is certain that the team is very keen on this 6th place in the Manufacturers' ranking given the financial bonus that this represents. ».