Gasly Blames 'Inexperienced' Drivers for Vegas Lap 1 Chaos

Pierre Gasly was left fuming after his Las Vegas Grand Prix ended in a first-lap spin, attributing the incident to "two guys with not much experience." The Alpine driver, who started a strong P10, saw his race hopes vanish in Turn 1, marking his third consecutive unlucky outing in Vegas.

Why it matters:

Gasly's frustration highlights a recurring issue in Formula 1: ambitious, sometimes overly aggressive, driving in the opening laps, particularly at tight corners like Las Vegas's Turn 1. Such incidents can prematurely end races for innocent parties, affecting championship standings and team morale.

The details:

• First-Lap Incident: Gasly's car was hit by Gabriel Bortoleto, who went into Lance Stroll, forcing Stroll to retire and spinning Gasly. Although Gasly continued, his diffuser was damaged, dropping him seven places from his P10 starting position.
• Gasly's Reaction: He described it as a "long f***ing flight to end up spun around" and lamented another "unlucky race in Vegas," despite a strong qualifying performance.
• Multiple Incidents: Bortoleto's move wasn't isolated. Liam Lawson also made contact with Oscar Piastri in Turn 1, leading Gasly to comment on the inexperience shown by some drivers.
• Focus on Inexperience: Gasly specifically pointed out "two guys with not much experience" as the cause, suggesting a lack of caution at a notoriously tricky Turn 1.
• Qualifying Strength: Despite the race setback, Gasly noted his strong qualifying form, securing his ninth Q3 appearance of the year, indicating improved performance from mid-season.

Between the lines:

Gasly's comments underscore the fine line between aggressive racing and reckless driving, especially for newer drivers eager to make an impression. While the Las Vegas circuit offers unique challenges, the repeated first-lap incidents suggest a need for more circumspection from drivers, particularly in a packed field.

What's next:

Gasly and Alpine will be looking to carry his strong qualifying pace into future races while hoping for clearer, incident-free opening laps. The team's ability to capitalize on qualifying performance will be crucial as they aim to climb the constructors' standings. The incident also serves as a reminder for race control to potentially review aggressive driving standards, especially in high-stakes opening laps.