After finishing sixth at Silverstone, Pierre Gasly of the BWT Alpine F1 Team reflects on the emotional complexity of returning to Spa-Francorchamps—a circuit he loves for its layout but one that also holds painful memories.
From Silverstone to Spa-Francorchamps
The most recent Formula 1 race, the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone two weeks ago, brought joy for several drivers, including Nico Hülkenberg, who achieved his first-ever podium after a staggering 239 race starts. But it was not just the German who had reason to celebrate. In what has been a challenging season for the BWT Alpine F1 Team, French driver Pierre Gasly managed to deliver a strong performance at Silverstone, finishing in sixth place—his and the team’s best result of the year so far.
Now, with a two-week break behind him, Gasly heads to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium aiming to replicate or even improve upon that success. The short break offered him a chance to recharge and prepare, both physically and mentally, for the demanding back-to-back races ahead.
“It’s fantastic to return to Spa-Francorchamps after the positive result we had at Silverstone,” Gasly commented. “As a team, we were genuinely satisfied with the sixth-place finish in what was a very challenging race that included some truly exciting on-track battles. During the two weeks between races, I spent time with the team at our Enstone factory, where I had the opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work throughout the season so far. I also completed valuable simulator sessions—both for our current car and for next year’s project—before heading to Mallorca for a brief holiday to recharge ahead of the next double-header.
“As for this weekend, racing at Spa always stirs up mixed emotions for me. I’ve been very open about that in recent years.”
The painful memories of Spa
The mixed emotions Pierre Gasly refers to are deeply rooted in tragedy. The Belgian Grand Prix circuit holds a special, yet painful place in his heart due to the fatal accident that claimed the life of his friend and fellow Frenchman Anthoine Hubert in 2019. Hubert, a Renault Academy driver at the time, lost his life during a horrifying crash in a Formula 2 race at Spa.
Tragically, another young driver, Dutchman Dilano van ’t Hoff, also lost his life at the same circuit in 2023 during a Formula Regional European Championship race. The deaths of these two promising talents have left a lasting emotional scar on the paddock, particularly for Gasly, who has consistently made efforts to keep their memories alive.
“I absolutely love racing at Spa,” Pierre Gasly said. “Its iconic corners are incredibly rewarding to drive in a Formula 1 car. But the circuit will always carry emotional weight for me—and for many others—because of the painful memories associated with it.
“On Thursday evening, we’ll once again organize the ‘Run for Anthoine’ in memory of my friend Anthoine Hubert. All members of the Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula 3 paddocks are invited to either run or walk a lap of the circuit in his honor. We will also commemorate Dilano van ’t Hoff together with our friends from MP Motorsport. As every year, it will be a powerful and heartfelt moment of tribute and reflection—hopefully another special way to remember them both.”
Colapinto aims to bounce back at Spa after Silverstone disappointment
While Gasly is aiming to build on his best result of the season, teammate Franco Colapinto is still chasing his first points finish in what has so far been a difficult rookie campaign. The Argentine driver didn’t even make it to the starting grid at Silverstone, marking another frustrating low in a season that has yet to meet expectations.
“The two-week break after Silverstone was definitely welcome,” Franco Colapinto reflected. “When I look back at that weekend, it was a bit of a rollercoaster for the team. Congratulations to Pierre and everyone at Alpine for scoring our best result of the season and adding more points to our tally.
“From my side of the garage, it was disappointing not to even start the race on Sunday, especially considering there were several opportunities for drivers starting further back. Still, the weekend wasn’t without its lessons. We reviewed everything and spent time at the factory preparing for the final two races before the summer break.
“It’s unusual to have two full weeks between races, so I took the chance to recover fully. I also went to Barcelona for training and now I feel well-rested and ready to get back in the car at Spa-Francorchamps. We’ll try to make the most of the next two race weekends and start the second half of the season on a high note.”
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