Gasly not unhappy to leave outside the Top 10

La F1 modern is such that the drivers qualified just behind the Top 10 are often happier than their rivals in the middle of the grid having managed to snatch a ticket to Q3. 

The reason is always the same: the obligation for the first 10 to start with the rubber used during their flying lap in Q2. However, for the best representatives of “Formula 1,5”, it is often the soft compound, which is rarely the most suitable for racing. 

Conversely, the riders just behind can choose their tires freely and often set off with a harder tire compound.  
 
« After this qualifying session, the feeling is mixed, commented gasly, 12th time but 11th on the grid after the engine penalty imposed on Valtteri Bottas. We were not able to find the same level of performance as in Free Practice 3 earlier in the afternoon, for a reason that is still unknown. The car was sliding a lot. 

My lap in Q2 was a bit messy with a lot of evasions. On the other hand, it is better to start 11th or 12th rather than 10th. However, I am not convinced that we had the means to do much better, by competing with the McLaren and Renault for example ». 

Gasly is currently tied with Carlos Sainz in the Drivers' championship with 95 points, the two men fighting for 6th place in the standings. Asked if his strategy shifted from the McLaren driver could help him in the race, the Norman answered in the affirmative.

« Yes I think so, did he declare. If we had gone to Q3 like him and started the race with the same strategy, I think it would have been much more complicated because the McLaren is faster than us. Now they are forced to start on soft tires and I am not convinced that this is an advantage for the GP. I hope this will be a key factor in the race tomorrow ». 

However, let's not go too quickly because Gasly, like Sainz who will start 8th, could be beaten to the post by Alexander albon, 5th on the grid. The pilot Red Bull is only 11 points behind the Franco-Spanish duo.