Pierre Gasly: ​​“It’s not easy to aim for the top 10”

Si McLaren emerged as the best “others” team behind the trio Mercedes - Ferrari - Red Bull in 2019, what will be the face of the mid-grid in 2020? If we should not count on the results of the winter tests to get a precise picture of the hierarchy, Pierre Gasly displays clear caution with Alpha tauri.

If the Italian team can count on the progress of the Honda engine block and the use of elements from the 15 RB2019, the Frenchman recalls that the first Australian meeting could prove complicated for Franz Tost's team.

“We are never fast enough, mischievously describes the former GP2 Series champion. That's still the conclusion, but overall I think we had a good winter test, with a lot of laps and good reliability. But Racing Point F1 is very fast, McLaren too. It won't be easy for us to aim for the top 10.

We have to work hard and develop the car as quickly as possible to be able to fight at the top of the mid-grid. There are areas where we have already improved since Barcelona, ​​and we understand the car better.

In terms of development, we know the points where we need to work. We are not at the top of the middle of the pack, we know that. But this Melbourne track will be very different from Barcelona. There are always opportunities emerging. »

special atmosphere

Obviously questioned about the atmosphere surrounding the Melbourne paddock with the coronavirus pandemic, Pierre Gasly displays a certain serenity in the face of the situation.  “I don’t really think further than what’s going to happen tomorrow to be honest, admits the Norman.

It's a pretty strange situation. There are lots of things we talk about, but right now my mind is just on Australia to start the season in the best possible way and try to have a strong race.

F1 is making a lot of effort. They try to limit the risk as much as possible while keeping the events going. Obviously, we deal with the evolution of what is happening around us. Since we arrived, we see that it's not a normal weekend in terms of contact with outside people.

We try to make efforts to limit potential risks. Afterwards you can be completely extreme, stop everything. For my part, I am happy that we are here to race in safe conditions. I haven't felt exposed since I arrived.

When arriving in the paddock, we try to be careful. Usually, we are very exposed as pilots to people who come, touch us, talk to us quite closely, give us books, pens... These are things that I try to be more careful about.

Viruses, I'm not a doctor, there are thousands of them. In everyday life you have to pay attention to these things. We are becoming a little more aware of it. I don't stop myself from living either. If the people who are responsible let us do this, I trust them that it remains sufficiently secure. Afterwards, I'm not going to put myself in the middle of a crowd of 20 people. »