Paris (AFP)
"It's just crazy, incredible and really moving for me": Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso), 2nd Sunday of the Grand Prix of Brazil, enjoys his first podium in F1 and "the best day of (his) life".
Q: This podium after a difficult season, it must be a special moment for you?
A: "It's my first podium in Formula 1 and I'll never forget it, it's such a special moment, I do not know what to say, it's so emotional, and most importantly to get it with Toro Rosso: they have given me a fantastic car since I came back (during the summer, after having downgraded from Red Bull, Ed) This is an extraordinary day. I like in Formula 1: these emotions, this fight (...) I'm so happy It's just the best day of my life (...) Today, to be second, for my first podium in F1, it's just ... crazy, incredible and really moving for me. "
Q: What were your expectations during this race?
A: "I felt good in the car all weekend, I think we managed to get the car exactly where I wanted to go, and I said, OK, if we finish better in the race. 6th place on the starting grid, Ed.), It would be great for us, so we did it, the whole race we had a good pace, I controlled the gap with the guys behind and we always had enough safety margin, I could push pretty well, we just tried to make the most of what was going on. "
Q: Tell us about this battle for 2nd place with Lewis Hamilton (penalized after the race for causing a crash and finally 7th)?
A: "It was intense, you see your first podium getting closer, then you have the world champion behind you pushing you to the limit, I tried to defend my best, and coming out of the last corner I I just hoped that the engine could give us all the power it can give.I pressed the accelerator and I could see his front wing and I said: + please, do not exceed me not on the line + because I'm going to be so pissed off if it happens, I really wanted to keep this second place and I have to say that without the progress made by Honda, it would never have been possible to keep this second place Mercedes, so I think the only thing we have to say is a big congratulations and a big thank you to Honda today. "
© 2019 AFP