As in Monaco, two French drivers finished in the top 10 again, with Isack Hadjar as a regular and this time, Pierre Gasly just behind him.
United in their support for PSG, which they watched together defeat Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday, Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly remained united on the Barcelona circuit the following day. The two drivers finished one behind the other, but most importantly in the points, a sign of a successful weekend that is becoming a habit for the French team.
Of the three French drivers on the grid, it’s not always the same ones who are laughing, and Gasly (8th on Sunday) succeeded Esteban Ocon, 7th in Monaco and 17th in Spain. One constant stands out: each time, Hadjar is there. In Catalonia, the Racing Bulls driver grabbed 7th place, giving him a collection of five top 10s in nine races, and even three in a row since Imola.
There is nothing surprising about seeing him so high, he who has never experienced failure in Q1 this season and knows how to put himself in orbit for good Sundays. He continues to marvel at his results, as if he had just arrived. “It’s always fantastic,” he appreciated. “Not necessarily for the points, more for the fact of running a good race. And we’ve had some good ones lately, so I’m happy.”
Hadjar enjoys everything. The strategy of his team, which designs well-executed plans on the track. The level of his car, which he felt was carried on Sunday by “a pace advantage” in the middle of the pack. And the battles he fights at the wheel, like in the first lap where he battled with Gasly and Fernando Alonso. The good news keeps coming. His confidence has risen so much that he no longer wonders if he is at the F1 level: “After succeeding in Monaco, I have no more doubts for the second part of the season.”
Gasly Wonders
At Alpine, Pierre Gasly drives with more questions in mind. While he took four points, the Normandy native noted anomalies in this Grand Prix that make him question the balance of power. “It’s a bit strange. The Saubers didn’t seem very competitive and now they’re overtaking a Ferrari,” he noted, thinking of Niko Hülkenberg‘s 5th place, who finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
The Frenchman suggested the effect of the directive on the flexibility of the front wings, which would affect the back teams more. But Gasly is mainly concerned about Alpine, and this GP passed without drinking, due to a faulty hydration system, symbolized the strength and weakness of his single-seater: “In qualifications, we can be there. But in the race, I feel that I’m missing a bit to fight with the others.” The routine of the French can still be improved.
