Gasly Opens Up About Final Goodbye to Hubert Before Fatal Crash

Pierre Gasly has opened up about the profound grief and regret he carries following the fatal crash of his close friend Anthoine Hubert in 2019. The Alpine driver recounted their intense friendship from childhood karting and shared the painful memory of their final, casual goodbye at a party just weeks before the tragedy at Spa-Francorchamps, a moment he wishes he could change.

Why it matters:

Gasly's reflection offers a rare, raw glimpse into the personal toll of motorsport's inherent dangers. It highlights how life's fragility can instantly reframe professional setbacks, as his demotion from Red Bull to Toro Rosso paled in comparison to the loss of his friend. The story serves as a poignant reminder to the F1 community and fans about the human element behind the helmets.

The details:

• Childhood Rivals, Best Friends: Gasly and Hubert were roommates and classmates in a French junior driver program, constantly pushing each other. "If I'm doing 13 push-ups, he'll be doing 14. And then I'll go again, doing 15," Gasly recalled.
• The Moment of Tragedy: Gasly learned of Hubert's fatal accident during the 2019 Spa F2 weekend when he saw his parents in tears immediately after a race briefing, realizing instantly what had happened.
• A New Perspective: The tragedy occurred just 18 hours after Gasly was demoted from the Red Bull senior team. "The bigger picture, there is more to life than this," he said, noting how the event put his professional struggles into sharp perspective.
• The Last Goodbye: Gasly's biggest regret is from a party in Budapest before the summer break. He left early and only waved to Hubert from a distance, saying, "See you in Spa."
  • "I wish I would have waited maybe a bit longer in the club just to hug him or say bye in a slightly different way," Gasly admitted. The experience taught him to "never take anything for granted."

Looking Ahead:

Gasly stated it took him years to process the trauma, noting that no one teaches you how to handle such a loss. In Hubert's memory, he now organizes an annual run at Spa during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, turning his grief into a tribute that honors his friend's legacy within the motorsport community.