Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly is a French driver currently contesting in Formula One, driving for Scuderia Alpha Tauri under the French flag. He finished runner-up in the Formula Renault 3,5 Series in 2014 and was crowned the 2016 GP2 Series champion. Gasly also competed in and won the 2017 Super Formula Championship before moving on the Formula One.

Gasly made his debut in Formula One with Toro Rosso in the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. He drove for Red Bull Racing in 2019 but moved back to Toro Rosso during the summer break of the season. In 2020 Toro Rosso rebranded as Alpha Tauri and retained Gasly. He achieved his first Formula One victory when he won the 2020 Italian Grand Prix.

2020 Italian Grand Prix, Sunday - Pierre Gasly
2020 Italian Grand Prix, Sunday – Pierre Gasly (image courtesy AlphaTauri)

Pierre Gasly was born on 7 February 1996 to Jean Jacques Gasly and mother Pascale in Rouen, France. Jean Jacques had competed in karting, endurance racing and rallying while Gasly’s grandfather had competed in karting. Gasly took to karting at the age of six and grew up alongside the late Antonie Hubert having resided together for several years while schooling.

Pierre Gasly’s Career Before Formula 1

Karting

Pierre Gasly first competed in karting at the age of ten. He finished fifteenth in the 2006 French Minime Championship and bettered his record by finishing fourth the following year. In 2008 he competed in the French Cadet Championship before moving on to international competitions in 2009. Gasly finished runner-up in the CIK-FIA European Championship in the KF3 category in 2010.

Formula Renault

In 2011, Gasly participated in the French F4 Championship 1.6 litre category, making his single-seater debut. He finished third in the contest taking 3 victories and four more podium finishes. Gasly opted for 2.0 Formula Renault cars in 2012, driving for R-Ace GP.

Gasly competed in the 2012 Formula Renault Eurocup winning podium positions at Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring. He finished the contest in 10th with six point-scoring finishes. In the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup, he took seven starts and earned a podium finish in Nürburgring.

Tech racing recruited Gasly in 2013 when he competed in the 2013 Formula Renault Eurocup. He secured three wins at Moscow, the Hungaroring and Le Castellet as well as Four podium positions. The last race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya brought third and sixth- place finishes as well as the championship to Gasly.

Gasly joined the Red Bull Junior Team development programme in 2014 and raced for Arden International In the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 Series he competed in 17 races and collected 8 podium finishes ending the series as runner-up to Carlos Sainz Jr., another Red Bull Junior.

Gasly competed in the 2015 European Formula 3 with Prema Powerteam and would contest in the competition in the next year. In 2016, he became the GP2 Series champion. He competed in the Japanese 2017 Super Formula Championship with Team Mugen and won two races. Gasly also competed in Formula E for Renault e.dams.

Pierre Gasly’s Career In Formula 1

Having joined as a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing in 2015, Gasly was assigned to drive for Toro Rosso in 2017.

Toro Rosso (2017-2018)

Gasly made his debut in Formula One racing with Scuderia Toro Rosso in the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. He finished the race and the subsequent one in Japan without scoring any points. Gasly missed the race in Austin because of the commitments in the 2017 Super Formula Championship but returned to race for the team in Mexico.

Midway in 2017, Red Bull Racing decided to drop Daniil Kvyat from the development programme. New Zealander Brendon hartley became Gasly’s new partner. Both of them were retained for the 2018 season. Gasly finished fourth in the Bahrain Grand Prix, earning his first World Championship points. He finished the year in 15th place with four more points finishes.

Red Bull Racing (2019) 

Gasly partnered Max Verstappen for the 2019 season and drove for Red Bull Racing replacing Daniel Ricciardo. Gasly struggled to come to terms with Red Bulls RB15. He was often outpaced by Verstappen and on a couple of occasions lapped by his partner. He out-qualified Verstappen only in the Canadian Grand Prix when the latter was hampered by the red flag.

Gasly finished fourth in the British Grand Prix which was his best result with Red Bull. But the team principal Christian Homer persisted with Gasly till the summer break. By the end of the race at the Hungaroring, Gasly was in the sixth position in the championship with 63 points to Verstappen’s 181.

Back to Toro Rosso (2019)

During the summer break of the 2019 season, Gasly was transferred back to Toro Rosso in what was viewed as a demotion. He was to race with Daniil Kvyat for the rest of the season while Alexander Albon took his place at Red Bull Racing. Horner said the Red Bull Team desperately wanted Gasly to realise his of the potential of the RB15 car.  

In the first race at Belgium, after returning to Toro Rosso, Gasly finished 9th in Belgium. His best performance in the season came in Brazil where he held off Lewis Hamilton on the final straight to finish second. “This is the best day of my life,” Gasly said of his first podium finish in Formula One. He scored 95 points to finish 7th in the championship.

Scuderia Alpha Tauri (2020-2022)

2020

Pierre Gasly was retained by Toro Rosso for the 2020 season as the team rebranded to Scuderia Alpha Tauri. Partnering Daniil Kvyat, Gasly managed to finish among the top ten four times in the first seven races of the season. His best results of seventh-place finish came in the Austrian Grand Prix and Silverstone.

In Italy, an early pitstop and a pit lane closure during a safety car exercise helped Gasly pass several cars. Gasly was racing in the third position when Hamilton was awarded a stop-go penalty and Lance Stroll went wide. Gasly held off Carlos Sainz Jr. to win his maiden Grand Prix. Gasly finished in the 10th position in the 2020 Formula One season.

Gasly became the first French Formula One driver to win a Grand Prix since Oliver Panis in the 1996 Mexico Grand Prix. Team principal Franz Tost praised Gasly’s effort and speculation was rife that Gasly could return to Red Bull. Gasly himself was willing but Tost insisted that Gasly will continue with Alpha Tauri for the 2021 season.

2021

Pierre Gasly’s 2021 Formula 1 season with Scuderia AlphaTauri was a showcase of his growing maturity, consistency, and ability to extract the maximum from his machinery. Building on his maiden race win in 2020, Gasly continued to impress with standout performances, further establishing himself as one of the sport’s most talented drivers outside the top teams.

Season Overview

Gasly’s 2021 campaign was marked by strong qualifying performances, points finishes, and a remarkable podium, underlining his status as a team leader at AlphaTauri. Throughout the season, Gasly demonstrated not only speed but also strategic acumen and racecraft, often competing with and outperforming teams with more competitive packages.

Key Highlights and Results

  • Bahrain Grand Prix: Gasly started the season strongly, though his race was compromised due to an early incident. This event, however, did little to dampen his spirits or performance levels for the rest of the season.
  • Azerbaijan Grand Prix: One of the highlights of Gasly’s season came in Baku, where he secured a podium finish. His performance in a chaotic race showcased his ability to capitalize on opportunities, finishing third in a nail-biting conclusion.
  • Monaco Grand Prix: Gasly’s prowess in qualifying was on full display in Monaco, where he secured a strong starting position. He translated this into a solid points finish, underlining his ability to compete at the sharp end of the midfield.
  • Italian Grand Prix: Returning to Monza, the site of his maiden victory in 2020, Gasly had high hopes. Although he couldn’t replicate his win, his performances around the iconic circuit remained a testament to his skill and the team’s progress.

Challenges

Despite the high points, Gasly’s season was not without its challenges. Incidents and occasional reliability issues hindered potential top finishes, and the intense midfield battle meant that every point was hard-fought. Nonetheless, Gasly’s resilience and determination saw him overcome these hurdles, consistently delivering strong performances.

Season Conclusion

Gasly ended the 2021 season with a commendable points tally, contributing significantly to AlphaTauri’s constructors’ championship standing. His ability to lead the team, coupled with his on-track performances, not only earned him praise from within the paddock but also sparked discussions about his future and potential with top teams.

Pierre Gasly’s 2021 season was a clear indication of his growth as a driver. With each race, he cemented his reputation as a formidable competitor, capable of challenging the established order and achieving remarkable results. As Gasly looks to the future, his performances in 2021 will undoubtedly be seen as a key chapter in his evolving Formula 1 career, filled with promise and potential for even greater achievements.

2022

Pierre Gasly’s 2022 Formula 1 season with Scuderia AlphaTauri was a year of resilience amidst a challenging competitive landscape. As the sport underwent significant technical regulation changes aimed at improving racing, teams and drivers alike faced the task of adapting to the new era. For Gasly and AlphaTauri, the season was a mixed bag of solid performances, potential unfulfilled due to various factors, and the continuous pursuit of development and improvement.

Season Overview

The 2022 season presented a fresh start for all teams, with AlphaTauri aiming to build on their previous successes and establish themselves further up the midfield. Gasly, known for his qualifying prowess and racecraft, was expected to play a crucial role in the team’s ambitions. However, the season proved to be a rollercoaster, with moments of promise often offset by challenges beyond the team’s control.

Key Highlights and Results

  • Adapting to the AT03: Gasly and AlphaTauri spent the season getting to grips with the AT03, the team’s challenger under the new regulations. While the car showed potential, finding consistent performance proved challenging in a fiercely competitive midfield.
  • Points Finishes: Gasly continued to demonstrate his ability to extract the maximum from the car, securing points finishes in several races. His efforts underscored his reputation as a driver capable of punching above his weight.
  • Qualifying Strengths: Despite the car’s fluctuating performance, Gasly’s qualifying performances remained a highlight. His ability to secure strong starting positions kept AlphaTauri in contention for points on Sundays.
  • Challenges and Setbacks: The season was not without its difficulties. Gasly faced setbacks including on-track incidents, strategic gambles that didn’t pay off, and the inherent challenges of developing a car under new technical regulations.

Season Conclusion

Gasly’s 2022 campaign was a testament to his skill and determination in the face of adversity. While the season may not have delivered the results he or AlphaTauri had hoped for, Gasly’s performances continued to attract attention. His ability to consistently challenge in the midfield, often in a car that was not the fastest, highlighted his value as a driver.

Alpine (2023 – )

Pierre Gasly’s move to Alpine for the 2023 Formula 1 season marked a significant step in his career, partnering with fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon. This transition was facilitated by AlphaTauri, allowing Gasly to join Alpine for post-season testing immediately after the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the stage for his debut season with the team.

Season Highlights:

  • Bahrain Grand Prix: Gasly’s season started with a challenge as he began the race from the back of the grid due to his qualifying time being deleted. Despite this setback, he showcased his skill and determination by recovering to finish ninth, a commendable performance that highlighted his adaptability and racecraft.
  • Australian Grand Prix: The race in Melbourne brought an unfortunate moment for Gasly and Alpine, as he collided with teammate Ocon after the second red flag, leading to the retirement of both cars. This incident underscored the competitive tension within the team and the fine margins in Formula 1.
  • Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Gasly’s weekend in Baku was hampered by an engine fire during practice, followed by a crash in qualifying. These setbacks prevented him from scoring points in both the sprint and the main race, reflecting the challenges he faced in adapting to the new team and car.
  • Consistent Scoring: Despite the early-season hurdles, Gasly found his rhythm, qualifying in the top ten and scoring points in the following three races, including a strong start from fifth on the grid at the Miami Grand Prix.
  • Austrian Grand Prix: Gasly continued to add to his points tally, finishing ninth but was later demoted one position due to track limits infringements, showcasing the competitive nature of the midfield battle.
  • Belgian and Dutch Grands Prix: A highlight of Gasly’s season came with a sprint podium in Belgium and a Grand Prix podium in the Netherlands, where strategic decisions and his driving prowess saw him achieve his first podium finish in over two years.

Challenges and Resilience:

Gasly’s 2023 season was a narrative of overcoming adversity, from early retirements and on-track incidents to navigating intra-team dynamics with Ocon. His ability to bounce back from setbacks, coupled with strategic acumen and raw speed, played a pivotal role in his performances throughout the year.

Season Conclusion:

Joining Alpine represented a new chapter for Gasly, and his 2023 season was a testament to his growth as a driver. While the year had its share of challenges, Gasly’s resilience, combined with moments of brilliance, showcased his potential within the team. His podium finishes were a highlight, reaffirming his status as a top-tier talent in Formula 1. As Gasly looks to the future with Alpine, his experiences from 2023 will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for further success in the sport.