Gasly returns to his podium at the 2019 Brazilian GP: “A strong message”

How can we forget this epic climb from the Junção bend to the finish line? This Homeric duel, drag racing style, between the little Toro Rosso and the almighty Mercedes W10 from Lewis Hamilton, already doubly titled?

At the end of the effort, there was ecstasy, a 2nd place and a first podium in Formula 1 for Pierre Gasly, at the end of a sensational Brazilian Grand Prix in its final race, marked by a fratricidal collision between the Ferrari, then a clash between Alexander albon(Red Bull) and Hamilton.

In the land of Christ the Redeemer, the Frenchman then reminded everyone, starting with his detractors, that the grueling 2019 campaign had perhaps caused him to stumble but that he had come back even stronger.

Returning to the land of this first feat, followed since by a historic victory at Monza in 2020, then by a 3rd podium in as many seasons in Baku (Azerbaijan) this year, Gasly remembers the “ strong message » sent after being demoted from Red Bull to Toro Rosso, and losing his childhood friend Anthoine Hubert in tragic circumstances.

« It showed the paddock world a little about my character and the fact that I am someone who never gives up because it had been a difficult year, rewound the leader AlphaTauri this Thursday in the Brazilian paddock.

The year 2019 had been very intense. A lot had happened. No one expected me to bounce back like I did.

A lot of people had buried me because from a mental point of view, it's difficult to bounce back from what happened. While I knew it would be an opportunity to show my potential ».

Will @PierreGASLY continues his imperious form this season in Brazil? ✨

He secured P2 on our last visit to Interlagos in stunning style, beating Lewis Hamilton in a drag race to the finish line!#BrazilGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/KwHqzEJqDt

- Formula 1 (@ F1) November 9, 2021

Since this first Top 3 in the premier category, Gasly has continued to deliver high-flying performances, the latest dating back just a few days with a superb 4th place at the Mexican Grand Prix.

« I saw a stat last weekend that said I had 13 or 14 Top 6 finishes in qualifying this season. (13, Editor’s note), added the Norman. Only Max (Verstappen, Editor’s note) and Lewis (Hamilton, Editor’s note) did better.

In terms of consistency, this is clearly my best season. That was part of my goals: to maximize every weekend, no matter the conditions, no matter the problems. And we got there ».

Warned early in the year that he would not be recalled by Red Bull, Gasly quickly digested the disappointment to immerse himself body and soul into the AlphaTauri project.

« I am focused on the car I have and I strive to show beautiful things, concludes the Rouennais. I think this does not go unnoticed, it is important to score points for the future ».

Points, he has above all 86 out of the 106 units pocketed in 2021 by AlphaTauri, 5th tied with Alpine in the Manufacturers ranking. Another " strong message » sent by the one who changed dimension on the Autódromo José Carlos Pace two years ago.