Pierre Gasly: ​​“I have reached a milestone”

Cap on backwards in casual fashion, stylish sunglasses on the nose, and a cool smile, Pierre Gasly exudes confidence at the moment.

This impression of quiet strength that the Frenchman gives off can also and above all be found in his performances behind the wheel, which have been impressive since the start of the season. 

After the disappointment of Bahrain, where he was unable to capitalize on his good qualification in 5th position following an avoidable contact with Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), the Frenchman has a string of great performances in qualifying and finishes in the Top 10. 

After his historic victory at Monza, we are not far from saying that the Norman has reached another level in 2021. 

« I actually think I've reached a milestone, confirms the person concerned when he meets the few representatives of the French press present in Austria for the Styrian GP (June 25-27). I also feel like I have more experience. 

But it also comes from all the work done with the team. I am given more responsibilities, more freedoms. We know each other well with the team, there is a lot of trust. It’s a whole, it doesn’t just come from me ». 

• New ambitions

While Toro Rosso was once condemned to the crumbs left by the top teams and the best representatives of the mid-grid, the team from Faenza (Italy) seems to have entered a new dimension under the AlphaTauri identity. 

As if the glass ceiling which slowed down the ambitions of the little Italian squadra was cracking. 

« I always want to do better, I try to push them in the right direction, continues Gasly, who made his debut in F1 with Toro Rosso at the 2017 Malaysian GP. We are now fighting against teams like McLaren and Ferrari. This is no longer the same approach as in the past. I try to pull them up. They also have this desire. Everyone is doing their best to make this possible. 

Everything is more professional. The approach and mentality in the stable are different. We no longer see ourselves as a team at the back of the peloton that must take risks and wait for a miracle to perform.

It comes down to results, it started with Kvyat’s podium (at the 2019 German GP, ​​Editor’s note), then mine in Brazil, etc. As the exploits progress, everyone gains confidence. We see that there is potential and we try to repeat that as often as possible ».

Despite this voluntary speech, we feel that Gasly's ultimate potential exceeds that of his team. The 25-year-old Frenchman, who is linked to Red Bull until 2023, also refuses to project too far into the future.  

« For the moment, I don't have too many answers about what's next, the team with which my future will be written, if it's with Red Bull, AlphaTauri, or outside the program., he invariably sweeps away. I just want to try to be in a car as often as possible that gives me the opportunity to fight at the front. I hope Red Bull will be able to give me this opportunity ». 

In the meantime, Gasly, whose failed visit to Milton Keynes (United Kingdom) at the start of 2019 has long been consigned to history, continues to show off his serenity with a certain sense of style.