Gasly: ​​“The car is exactly as I want it”

At the end of a dark summer, marked by his eviction from Red Bull and especially the death of his childhood friend Anthoine Hubert last Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps, we really wouldn't blame him. Pierre Gasly to have the mask this weekend at Monza.

However, it is a smiling, relaxed driver that we find in the Austro-Italian reception area on Friday evening at the end of the first free practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix. Author of the 10th fastest time of EL1, which started in the rain and ended in the dry, Gasly progressed to 7th place during a second session generally spared by showers. 

« It was a good day, reported the Norman. It was the first time I drove in the rain with this car so it's good to have a feeling behind the wheel in these conditions. I gain confidence lap after lap, whether in the dry or the wet. I understand better and better what needs to be done to make the car competitive and express its potential. 

In the dry, it’s very positive to have achieved the 7th fastest time. We seem to be doing well on one lap but especially on long stints. The car is exactly as I want it to be in terms of balance. I hope we can confirm that over the rest of the weekend ». 

Equipped for the first time with the Specification 4 Honda engine, Gasly estimates that he still « too early to make a comparison with the old version because we have much less downforce and we have not yet pushed the thruster to its limits ". Forced to start at the back of the grid due to an engine penalty, the Rouennais says he is in any case ready to give his teammate a lift in qualifying and hopes to find fresh conditions in the race on Sunday.  

« We seem competitive in this weather, added Gasly. I found myself fighting with Charles for several laps. The rhythm is very efficient. The tires work well on our car under these temperatures ». 

For his second weekend after returning home Toro Rosso, the former GP2 Series champion has already noted progress compared to Belgium in his integration and collaboration with the Italian team. 

« Over a weekend, in the end, you don't do that many qualifying laps, concluded Gasly. It’s not like winter testing. But I feel that the sensations are improving. This afternoon, during the long relays, I felt better and better too. 

The interaction with my engineers is also better compared to last week. I am quite happy with the work accomplished and I am sure that we will continue to progress ».