Pierre Gasly (Alpine): “I think my neck’s gone twice as thick”

For many of the more experienced Formula 1 drivers, the return of Formula 1 to Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix (which is being held in Malaysia this year as a one-off) is a trip down memory lane. This is also true for Alpine driver Pierre Gasly.

Gasly: “I have very fond memories of Malaysia, as that’s where I made my Formula 1 debut in 2017.” In 2017, Pierre Gasly drove his first of what are now (as of before Malaysia/Bahrain) 192 Formula 1 Grands Prix. He drove for Toro Rosso, replacing Daniil Kvyat midway through the season. He started from 15th on the grid and finished 14th in the race.

Gasly: Cars and the sport have changed since 2017

The Frenchman has become a bit nostalgic: “I actually looked at some photos from that weekend again recently, and it’s quite astonishing how much the cars and the sport have changed. I’ve changed a bit myself too – I was definitely a bit younger back then, a bit fresher, and I think my neck has got twice as thick!’ Formula 1 drivers train their necks intensively to withstand the G-forces. Nine more years of training have clearly made a difference. Gasly: “It was a very good period in my career, which paved the way for me in this sport.”

Max Verstappen und Pierre Gasly 2017 in Sepang

Foto: XPB

Gasly on the present: “We’re currently in the middle of a triple-header, and I’ve returned to Milan for a few days after Baku to rest ahead of this weekend. I feel fresh and am ready to take on the challenge at Sepang. The field is a mixed bag when it comes to experience of this circuit – some have raced there before, others haven’t.” Only 10 of the 22 current F1 drivers have raced at Sepang before. Gasly is one of them.

Topic of the week

Nicolo Bulega: Toprak’s successor will not fail in MotoGP

The Italian Nicolo Bulega is the first rider to have won the world title in both the Supersport and Superbike classes; from 2027, he will be racing in MotoGP. His performances this season are second to none.

Read More

TV Program

Tomorrow

Sepang: 1. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

02.10.2026 - 06:15

Sepang: heat, humidity, rain

Gasly: “I’m aware of the demands these conditions bring: it’s very hot and humid, it rains frequently, and the track layout is consistently very fast and physically demanding. But I’m looking forward to it and hope we can continue the good level of performance we’ve shown in recent races.”

Following the inglorious exit caused by the team-internal crash in Baku, Alpine are keen to focus on the upcoming races. As is well known, the Grand Prix in Azerbaijan ended for Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto when Colapinto crashed into the barriers following a mistake.