Gasly Frustrated After Las Vegas Spin: 'A Long F****** Flight For This'

Pierre Gasly expressed deep frustration after a Turn 1 incident in Las Vegas ruined his race, preventing him from competing for a strong result. The Frenchman, who had qualified in the top 10, was caught in a chaotic opening lap collision caused by rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, damaging his diffuser and severely compromising his performance.

Why it matters:

This incident marks the third consecutive year Gasly has had a strong qualifying performance in Las Vegas nullified by race incidents. For a driver looking to establish consistent results and lead his team, these repeated setbacks are incredibly deflating and highlight the fine margins and unpredictable nature of racing, especially at challenging circuits.

The Details:

• Incident Overview: Gasly started in the top 10 but was spun around in Turn 1 after being hit from behind by Gabriel Bortoleto. The collision resulted in significant damage to his car's diffuser.
• Consequences for Bortoleto: Bortoleto received a 10-second time penalty, which was converted into a five-place grid drop for the subsequent Qatar Grand Prix, underscoring the severity of his misjudgment.
• Gasly's Race Outcome: Despite starting well, the damage relegated Gasly to a P13 finish, far from his potential. He described the aftermath as a "long afternoon."
• Driver Standards Concerns: Gasly criticized the driving standards in Turn 1, particularly from less experienced drivers like Bortoleto and Liam Lawson, suggesting a "pretty big misjudgment" and a lack of necessary consideration for the notoriously tricky corner.
• Car Performance Impact: Gasly noted that the Alpine car doesn't possess "huge downforce," making any additional damage particularly detrimental to its performance on track.

Between the lines:

Gasly's repeated misfortune in Las Vegas, despite strong qualifying efforts, points to a pattern of race-day challenges that are holding him back from converting pace into points. While the immediate cause was external, it adds to a growing narrative of 'unlucky races' for the French driver at this particular event. His comments also suggest a broader concern about driver conduct in aggressive opening laps, particularly from newer talents.

What's next:

Despite the disappointing race, Gasly found solace in his qualifying performance, marking his ninth Q3 appearance of the year. He remains positive about the team's progress in understanding and improving their car throughout the season, aiming to translate this qualifying strength into consistent race results in upcoming events. The focus will now shift to the Qatar Grand Prix, where Gasly will be looking to break his Las Vegas curse and capitalize on his underlying pace.