AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly is hoping for a clean weekend of racing as Formula 1 makes its maiden visit to Miami. The Frenchman had a rough weekend at Imola last time around, which made judging the strengths of the AT03’s improvements impossible.
Gasly finished 13th in the Imola race, trailing Williams’ Alexander Albon and defending against a faster Lewis Hamilton. Because it was a Sprint weekend with only two practise sessions, there was little time to evaluate the changes AlphaTauri made.
Gasly is looking forward to a normal weekend in Miami, and despite the fact that it is a new circuit that will take some time to master, he has put in 130 laps on the simulator to prepare.
“Looking back at Imola, Friday practice went okay, but then we didn’t do a very good job of managing the tyres on the drying track in Qualifying, so we ended up near the back. From then on, we were on the back foot and then there was the collision in the Sprint that meant starting at the back again on Sunday.
“In the race, I was in a DRS train with Lewis behind me and a Williams in front, so it was a bit annoying. I have to admit I’ve never had much luck in the Sprint races, and I’ve often been involved in some unlucky situations. We couldn’t overtake and that was it,” he added.
“We had some updates, but it was hard to assess them because of the conditions on track, so I’m looking forward to going to Miami to have a normal weekend with three free practice sessions, which will allow us to really do some testing and draw some conclusions.
“I’ve driven Miami on the simulator. I think I did around 130 laps and it looks as though it could be a really fun track to drive with high-speed corners and some sections that are very slow and technical with long straights, so I reckon it could be a great race.”
“I appreciate the fun part of racing in the States, as the organisers always strive and do something extra in terms of entertainment to keep the crowd happy,” Gasly says of the “special vibe” that the US events provide.
“I spend a lot of time in the United States and attempt to catch some of their big sporting events, such as the NBA, NFL, and hockey.”
“Every time I go, I am amazed at how they create a special energy, a special atmosphere which is incredible.”
“I think they are planning something along those lines for Miami to make it a stand-out event.”
“My main hope is that we can continue to score points in every race and from my point of view, get back into the good rhythm we had in the first three races and forget about the Imola weekend.”
