Gasly: ​​“The obligation to do everything perfectly”

The season could have started under better auspices for Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso). For its first full season in Formula 1, the Frenchman set the last time in qualifying practice for the Australian Grand Prix held in Melbourne, but is not looking for excuses in this 20th place.

The 2 GP2016 Series champion looks back on a failed Q1 after trying a new strategy in consultation with his team. “In Q1, there are so many people on track, especially on the second run because all the drivers come out with three minutes to go. In these conditions, you cannot heat the tires. So we tested a different plan. But Brendon (Hartley, his teammate) was in front, I couldn't push the brakes as needed. When I started the lap, I knew my brakes were not at optimal temperature. It wasn't ideal and I knew it was going to be a little too cold. It's nothing at all. Five meters away, which cost me Q2”, deplores the Rouennais.

Qualified with a time of 1'25"295, while his teammate set a time of 1'24"503, Pierre Gasly ironically admitted his frustration. “I'll have to calm down first. We'll take tranquilizers, no Red Bull tonight (laughs). The Melbourne circuit is super complicated for trying to overtake. Apparently tomorrow it will be dry but it won't be very hot. »

Big day coming, first qualifying of the season! Going to be tight, with some rain to make it even more exciting #AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/DNZEzfSQN7

— Pierre Gasly (@PierreGASLY) March 24, 2018

However, in terms of performance, the Frenchman presents an encouraging analysis for the Red Bull team. “We do not have the potential to seek out Haas or Renault (placed in Q3), but we can fight for the middle of the table; we could have placed ourselves today around the time of Sergio Pérez (Force India, 13th in 1'24''005) »

“Haas is a bit ahead of the others, Renault is good too, and then it’s very close between Force India, Williams and U.S. I think we are more or less where we thought we would be. We definitely thought it would be difficult. For our part, we have an obligation to do everything to perfection if we want to fight among the best in the mid-table. »