Pierre Gasly surprised everyone with his fifth fastest time during the qualifying round in Bahrain. Thanks to a grid penalty for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the Frenchman will start the desert race in fourth place, hoping to be a ‘thorn in the side’ for top teams, including Red Bull and McLaren.
While all eyes were on Oscar Piastri‘s pole position and the disappointing qualifications of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly unexpectedly secured the fifth spot on the starting grid in Bahrain. The Frenchman will even start the Grand Prix in fourth place, thanks to a grid penalty for Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Gasly had not made a significant impression during the first three Grands Prix of the year, but now has the opportunity to do so in Bahrain.
The Alpine driver revealed his strategy ahead of the race. “If we can occasionally be a thorn in the side for the top teams, that would be great,” Gasly joked with Sky Sports F1. The Frenchman then seriously explained how he managed to qualify in the top five. “The conditions were good for us, and it shows that we have real potential. The car was impressive and the front grip was good. Being three-tenths slower than pole position is amazing.”
No Battle with Norris and Verstappen
Does Gasly think he can convert his good qualifying result into a good race result? “We do have some fast guys behind us,” the driver hesitates. Both Lando Norris and Max Verstappen will start the race behind Gasly. “Lando and Max can battle it out in the first rounds and leave me out of it. I’m definitely not getting involved in that.”
