Gasly "elbows out" approach defies engine drama for "insane" Baku podium
Gasly "elbows out" approach defies engine drama for "insane" Baku podium
Pierre Gasly was ecstatic after shrugging off an engine gremlin to stand on the podium at the end of an "insane" Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The AlphaTauri driver finished third to secure his third career F1 podium, having finished second at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and taken victory at last season's event at Monza.
Frenchman Gasly qualified a superb fourth and was holding firm in the top five before reporting what he feared was a loss of power mid-race.
However, the issue was manageable and after a late red flag period forced a two-lap sprint to the finish, Gasly held off the advances of Charles Leclerc to take an "incredible" podium.
"Honestly, I don't really know what to say. It was such an insane race and a super intense last two laps," said Gasly.
"The car has been incredible all weekend and every session we were there. After qualifying, I didn't know if I could keep that position or go on the podium but in the end, we did it.
"I finished once first and once second so the third feels incredible to get that podium."
On his engine issues that threatened to curtail his afternoon, Gasly added: "We had to get the elbows out. It was a very difficult race from midrace onwards with an engine issue.
"I was losing quite a lot of power down the straight. Seb [Vettel] managed to pass us in the middle of the race and I knew that the last two laps would be very difficult with Charles [Leclerc] behind.
"I tried it, every braking, I wasn't sure if I was going to stop the car but I really wanted that podium. It just feels incredible after such a great weekend."
Tsunoda backs up strong AlphaTauri pace
AlphaTauri experienced its best weekend of the season as Japanese rookie Yuki Tsunoda picked up a further six points for finishing seventh.
Gasly believes the double points finish, which means the team jumps ahead of Aston Martin to fifth in the constructors' standings, is a cause for celebration.
"[We scored] some really good points," he stated. "I am really happy, Yuki did a good race as well so all in all I am really happy and we can celebrate together tonight."
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
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