Pierre Gasly says his remaining lap in Q3 was a particular one as he secured third place on the grid for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Alpine scored a shock double-podium on the final race in Brazil, with Gasly third behind teammate Esteban Ocon in second. Whereas that outcome got here in moist circumstances, Friday’s qualifying in Las Vegas was in dry and chilly temperatures, and Gasly excelled along with his remaining lap placing him within the prime three, behind solely George Russell and Carlos Sainz.
“It’s completely unbelievable as a staff,” Gasly stated. “We began Bahrain on the final row with each automobiles, and swiftly, the previous few weeks have been fairly a change. I’m actually glad and happy with the work the staff has been doing in a season the place every part appeared unattainable, simply to nonetheless stick collectively and put some extra efficiency in that automotive.
“Going into qualifying immediately, I need to admit we by no means thought we’ll be ready to really get in that prime three, however I managed to have a really particular lap on the proper time on that final set in Q3 and it’s a really good shock.”
Gasly says Alpine had a transparent strategy to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit that has paid off thus far, and he felt assured in his automotive’s dealing with from the beginning of the primary observe session.
“We went with a reasonably aggressive bundle by way of downforce, so we’re working little or no downforce round this monitor,” he defined. “We attempt to maximize the straight strains; we clearly make our lives barely more durable within the corners.
“I believe it’s a difficult monitor. It’s very chilly circumstances. It’s fairly an outlier within the season. However I had a pleasant feeling within the automotive since P1. P2 went properly. P3 went properly. After which in that Q3, we managed to make it work with just one set of latest tires as properly.
“So there was positively some good tempo and for now, I’m more than happy. Clearly, it’s solely qualifying, however I believe it’s most likely the primary time I qualify within the prime three. It feels prefer it was a particular one.”
Gasly has each Pink Bulls, each McLarens and Charles Leclerc behind him on the grid, and says he’s not overly targeted on holding them at bay as he as an alternative has is eyes on defending Alpine’s sixth place within the constructors’ standings.
“That’s not likely what I’m fascinated by. I believe we all know the place the goal is for us,” he stated. “We’re combating Haas and [RB] within the constructors’. Clearly, no matter occurred in that quali is superb. It feels good to be in entrance of Max and McLaren and these guys, however on the finish of the day, it’s not our battle.
“So we’ll give our greatest shot tomorrow. It’s a difficult one round right here with the graining, so we’ll ensure we do our homework tonight to maximise the possibilities tomorrow. However for positive, from P3, we improve our possibilities to get some good factors.”
