Gasly feared barrier shunt in Vettel battle

Pierre Gasly feared he and Sebastian Vettel would end up in the barriers as they fought wheel-to-wheel in one of the only dramatic moments in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Gasly's AlphaTauri exited the pits alongside Vettel's Aston Martin after the four-time F1 champion had pushed hard to ‘overcut’ his rival through the pit stops and jump into fifth place in the processional race, leading to a battle up the hill.

Gasly said: “I thought we would both end up in the Armco it was that close. He managed to just have half a car in front of us and keep it in front.

“We literally came out side by side up the hill and he managed to get on top of us but [it was] very close. I tried the overtake button, everything I had, but for some reason, it didn’t give me the edge on him.

“He didn’t give me any room. It was very hard racing, I told him, but we both made it and if I had been in his seat I would have done the same thing. Nicely done from him.”

After missing his chance, Gasly dropped in behind Vettel for sixth and resumed a fierce defence of the place from Lewis Hamilton, in which he knew he could not put a foot wrong.

Gasly, who had started ahead of Hamilton after Mercedes struggled in qualifying, added: “It was quite intense because with Lewis right behind us for 78 laps we knew we couldn’t do any mistake because otherwise they will pass us.

“The first stint was great. They put some pressure on us by boxing and trying to undercut so we had to cover him, which I believe was the right choice.

"Seb and Sergio [Perez] managed to overcut, which was a shame, but [it was] still a good race, very intense and some important points.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 helmet signed by 20 drivers raises record six-figure sum for charity at auction

• 32 minutes ago

James Vowles goes all in on AI as struggling Williams look for answers

• 2 hours ago

F1 drivers age: How old are Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris and co in 2026?

• 3 hours ago

F1 Transfer Latest: Sainz 'wants Red Bull', Perez to Williams and Alonso contract claims

• Today 12:27

Lando Norris teases fans as F1 champion leaves door open to stunning switch

• Today 10:56

F1 star 'in Williams negotiations' as Carlos Sainz future remains uncertain

• Today 09:58