Sunday is the last Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, it will be the opportunity for Pierre Gasly to drive one last time with his team Toro Rosso. He will join Red Bull in 2019. The young French has spoken about Toro Rosso and the challenges that lie ahead.
"We have built really strong links with mechanics and engineers," writes Saturday to AFP the French Pierre Gasly, 22, who will live Sunday at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi his last race with Toro Rosso, stable he compares to "a first love" , before joining Red Bull in 2019.
Q : What does the Yas Marina circuit inspire you?
A : "It's a track that I like and that reminds me of great memories, it's here that I was titled in GP2 two years ago, I like the atmosphere. usually we go there at the end of the year, it's 30 degrees, while in Europe, it's cold with rain or snow, and it's true that I prefer these conditions. I like the last sector, the whole winding part where there is a lot of rhythm, we are constantly braking, turning, and accelerating. make the difference".
Q : You must have a special feeling since it's your last with Toro Rosso?
A : "It's special because it's the team that gave me my first chance in Formula 1. It's like a first love.Since last year, we've built really strong links with the mechanics When I'm working with people, I make sure that things go smoothly, and it's a bit emotional to leave them, and then the sport also makes our life a bit like In the lower categories, from one year to the next, we are constantly changing, but obviously that's going to be special and I hope we can finish with a good result to say see again with big smiles ".
Q : Your future Red Bull will be equipped with a Honda engine and more than one Renault in 2019, does that worry you?
A : "No, already, next year, the cars will be different, the new front wing will change a lot of things in terms of aero, maybe there's a team that will find something and take it In addition, I think that this year Red Bull would have been able to have the same level of competitiveness with the Honda engine.With the Renault engine, they lacked the special mode that Mercedes and Ferrari can have on a lap in qualifying. but in the race they were really there, at the overall level, I think they are the most complete, after that there is always the question of reliability.In 2018 at Toro Rosso we used eight engines (Honda), is better than previous seasons, as well as being tested to prepare for next season, and with the experience and knowledge of Red Bull associated with Honda's strength, I think it will accelerate development faster again".
Q : You are going to join a "Top Team" after just 26 races, can we talk about a quick climb?
A : "It's true: it's more or less the same as Max (Verstappen) or (Sebastian) Vettel who spent about a year and a half in F1 before being promoted to Red Bull. I did not expect this to happen at all, but in the end there are times when you have to be in the right place at the right time, and for me it was not the case after my GP2 where I could not have an F1 seat directly with Toro Rosso, but in the end luck turned out well and then I did the right thing because I was not the only candidate for go to Red Bull and I'm happy to have shown them enough things for me to choose. "