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Red Bull's Pierre Gasly says he couldn't see the start lights on the grid due to the higher rear wings for 2019.
Gasly commenced the race from the rear of the field after he dropped out of qualifying in Q1 on Saturday. With the aim of returning to the front on his Red Bull debut, the Frenchman failed to score a single point for the energy drink squad, coming home in 11th.
It was a tough race for the 22-year-old from the get-go, as he revealed he had to use drivers around him as a reference for launching off the line.
"It was a pretty difficult race," Gasly said. "With the new bigger rear wings, I couldn’t see the lights on the grid so I had to react with the cars around me and I lost a couple of places.
"Then I got stuck in traffic and even with the DRS, it’s super difficult to overtake here plus I had some debris in my front wing which didn’t help.
"I spent the whole race five tenths from the car in front but my tyres were just sliding and I couldn’t get past. I pushed as much as I could and I tried everything but it wasn’t enough to make it into the points."
Gasly takes hope in the fact the pace throughout the weekend looked strong and is now looking forward to Bahrain, where he recorded his best F1 finish 12 months ago.
"In general, the pace over the weekend was really good. In qualifying, we got knocked out of Q1 but I was happy with my first lap and it was just unfortunate that we didn’t make it through.
"Bahrain is a race I really like and we’ve seen the car is competitive so we’ll keep our heads down, stay focused and give a big push in two weeks’ time.
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (9)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Not impressed, but we'll see. If he continue to not impress, Im sure Kvyat will look mighty handy.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Gasly's display was dreadful. All weekend. His ability to find excuses for his mistakes reminds me of Felipe Massa and a little bit of Maldonado.
I gotta give to Toro Rosso though, for not engaging in the same behavior as previous years, allowing themselves to let Red Bull pass freely
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Sure thing. I didn't go into this season as hardline as you, but I was pretty certain it was too early for him, and it seems we might've been right. I think Darth Marko allowed Kvyat vs Gasly to evaluate Gasly. If he can't even overtake their sister car, a car that looks to be about in the same league as Alfa and RP but still clearly inferior to the big sis, then I think his time is ticking.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@calle you know... I actually thought the exact same thing when I saw that Gasly was actually having to fight for position instead of being waved by like Max was so many times last year.
Although gotta say that while Kvyat looked pretty good, I wouldn't quite say "Red Bull worthy good." At any rate, I'm delighted to see he's back in the grid driving well.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
RB worthy he is not, but he is a valid spare. We could very well see a midseason switcharoo if shit hits the turbo.
f1ski
Posts: 726
I guess no-one from f1 bothered
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Yeah, not impressed. The bar is high Pierre, step up or get knocked down. We all know that's how it works at RBR. Not being able to pass, rather not even taking the initiative to try to pass doesn't bode well for you son, Not to mention the pair of crashes in testing. So far, not impressed.
Patentprutser
Posts: 388
I don’t het it. You already noties thuis at The warm up lap?
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Not impressed at all. No overtake no issue with the car. There was an reason why RBR went with VER before he was allowed in the STR. Not sure at all if he is an high enough level of driving that warrants him having access to an top seat. Mind you VER is a pretty high calibre of driver. How long will marko give him before he gets replaced.