Gasly opens up: “Zero support” at Red Bull, Anthoine’s death and the world title dream
When a Formula 1 driver arrives at a race circuit, focus becomes absolute. But away from the garages, strategies and the pressure of the stopwatch, a more human side emerges, one that is more fragile, more authentic and deeply personal.
This is the context in which Pierre Gasly chose to open up: in the calm of his Milan apartment, surrounded by painful memories, sporting rebirths and renewed ambitions. It is an intimate journey through his career, from his early karting days to his role as a team leader at Alpine, told without filters and with a level of honesty that is rare in the Formula 1 paddock.
From promise to downfall: Gasly’s truth about Red Bull
Gasly looks back on his formative years, his entry into the Red Bull program and the GP2 title that was supposed to open the doors to Formula 1. However, reality turned out to be very different.
“It was very hard to accept, because I had been told: ‘If you win the GP2 championship, you will get a chance in Formula 1.’ It felt like a slap in the face. I thought: ‘Okay, what more do I need to do?’”
The call eventually came, but the experience at Red Bull proved to be extremely challenging.
“There was no support anywhere… I wasn’t given the tools to perform. They weren’t happy, but neither was I, because I could see that I wasn’t able to show my potential.”
The demotion to Toro Rosso felt almost like a relief.
“It felt like a relief.”
And it was there, during the most difficult weekend of his life, that Gasly had to face the tragedy of losing his close friend Anthoine Hubert.
“I saw my parents crying in the distance. I immediately understood what had happened.”
Pain, resilience and rebirth: the path that shaped the driver
The memory of Hubert is still deeply present.
“I just wish I had waited a little longer inside the venue to hug him… This taught me to appreciate the moment and to never take anything for granted.”
From that pain came a new strength, which led him to the podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix.
“People judged me too quickly… Thinking about that podium still makes me smile.”
Then came the historic victory at Monza in 2020.
“I was in my own world. Those few seconds will stay with me forever.”
The move to Alpine, symbolically signed on Hubert’s birthday, marked the beginning of a new chapter.
“Everything fell into place on Anthoine’s birthday, I couldn’t believe it.”
Today, Pierre Gasly represents a story of sporting rebirth: a driver who has transformed disappointment, pressure and personal tragedy into unshakable determination. With Alpine, he has already experienced special moments, including a double podium after months of difficulties.
“The expressions on the team’s faces were priceless… a race I will remember forever.”
And what about the future? Gasly has no doubts.
“Formula 1 and, hopefully, with Alpine, the world championship title! I know it’s hard for people to imagine… but I can see us fighting at the front.”
And knowing his story, his resilience and his hunger, betting against him would be a mistake.
Pierre Gasly’s journey is therefore a powerful testament to resilience in the face of both professional setbacks and personal tragedy. By reflecting on the lack of support during his Red Bull tenure and the life-altering loss of his friend Anthoine Hubert, Gasly illustrates how these challenges have forged his current identity as a leader at Alpine. Despite the “slap in the face” of his early career, his historic Monza win and recent podiums serve as proof of his talent, fueling his ultimate ambition to bring a World Championship title to the Enstone-based squad.
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