Pierre Gasly (Alpine) crash in Belgium: “I don’t know what happened”

Red flag at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps during the second free practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix: Pierre Gasly went off the track in his Alpine and clipped the track barrier with his right rear wheel – a nasty crash.

“I don’t know exactly what happened there,” said the 2020 Monza Grand Prix winner. “The rear of the car suddenly slid out from under me; I had my hands full trying to regain control, and just as I felt I’d managed it, I was already off the track. I can’t explain that first slip.”

“Of course, that’s not how we wanted to end the day – with a car that’s fast enough for the top ten. I’m sorry that I’ve caused my lads so much work.”

Alpine team principal Steve Nielsen: “Pierre lost the rear of the car in the Fagnes combined section; unfortunately, he ended up on the kerb on the right, and from that point on he was effectively just a passenger.”

The Englishman continued: “It was a minor driving error that wouldn’t have had any further consequences in most places. Unfortunately, it happened in a spot where that simply isn’t the case.”

Topic of the week

From major doubts to a major spectacle: why GP fans have reason to be delighted

Before the start of the season, critical voices dominated, but the World Championship rounds so far have shown that the rule changes are delivering exactly what was hoped for: excitement right up to the final lap.

Vanessa Georgoulas

Read more

TV program

Today

Spa-Francorchamps: 3. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

18.07.2026 - 12:15

Gasly remains confident he can put in a good qualifying performance on Saturday: “We’ve got the pace to make it into Q3, and that’s exactly our aim.”

Alpine will get the 2019 World Championship seventh-place finisher’s car back on track for the third practice session, starting at 12.30 pm in Belgium.