Pierre Gasly, Grand Prix winner: « honestly, I find it hard to realize! »
The unexpected hero of this 2020 Italian Grand Prix is still struggling to comprehend the immense feat he achieved this Sunday, September 6, 2020: winning a Formula 1 Grand Prix!
« Oh my God! Did we do it? Did we win this ****** race? We did it again! » Seized by ecstasy, these are the first raw words from Pierre Gasly in his car, at the end of 53 laps of madness (summary in this article), concluded by a historic victory at Monza this Sunday, ahead of Carlos Sainz’s McLaren and Lance Stroll’s Racing Point. An incredible performance, which earned him the title of driver of the day, “driver of the day”!
So many deserved it out there in Monza!
But in the end, no one could deny @PierreGASLY a second consecutive #F1DriverOfTheDay accolade ????????????#ItalianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/L4MspR5NCe
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 6, 2020
« Crazy things have happened to me over the last 18 months. There have been ups, there have been downs. And today, I win the Monza Grand Prix… it’s incredible. »
About 5 minutes after crossing the finish line as the winner, Pierre Gasly still didn’t grasp the magnitude of his performance, speaking with Jenson Button in Parc Fermé for Formula 1’s official media.
« I have no words. This team (ndlr: AlphaTauri) has given me so much, they gave me my first opportunity in Formula 1, my first podium, and now my first victory. I cannot thank them enough! »
Climbed onto the podium to collect his winner’s cup, in a unique atmosphere, without Tifosi, Pierre Gasly later returned to express his joy to our colleagues at Canal+.
Crazy things have happened to me these last 18 months. There have been highs, there have been lows. We’ve fought, we’ve focused so much on ourselves trying to improve day after day. And today, I win the Monza Grand Prix… it’s incredible.
Trying to take some perspective on his race, Pierre Gasly admits he still struggled to keep the lead after Lewis Hamilton’s stop-and-go penalty.
« It was not at all a done deal! We managed to restart after the red flag in 3rd position. I managed to get to 2nd at the start. After that, we knew that without drafting, it’s a complicated circuit. Carlos (editor’s note: Sainz) was coming back, so I had to avoid making mistakes. I stayed focused until the end. »
« I tried to push at the beginning of the run to not give them a slipstream, and consequently, it was complicated at the end. But it worked out… it was just incredible. »
P1!! My first victory in F1!!????
I’m lost for words, still struggling to realise, its just amazing!!
Everything was perfect, just missed the tifosis down under the podium. @alphatauri we have done it!! Thanks everyone for all the messages & support!! Today is a day I’ll remember. pic.twitter.com/3eILYSMsIu— PIERRE GASLY ???????? (@PierreGASLY) September 6, 2020
« We will have to continue but for now, I just want to enjoy this moment.
»
A victory nonetheless in a particular atmosphere, behind closed doors without Tifosi. A slight regret for Pierre Gasly anyway?
Honestly, I can hardly realize it! It’s such a shame to have a podium like that, I would have dreamed of seeing the Tifosi at the bottom of the podium.
« I just wanted to enjoy that moment. I was thinking about many people on the podium. I would like to thank everyone for the messages. I will have to continue but now I just want to enjoy this moment. »
Feel that emotion ❤️ @F1 has a NEW race winner! ???? #FullGAS ⛽️ @PierreGASLY pic.twitter.com/7samoQJdyK
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) September 6, 2020
One thing is certain, he won’t be the only one popping champagne tonight. Congratulations Pierre Gasly!
