Pierre Gasly has secured his first-ever appearance in Q3 at Albert Park and will be starting from the ninth position for the Australian Grand Prix. The Frenchman was able to push his AlphaTauri to the limit, despite challenging track conditions and fierce competition from other drivers.
Tricky Conditions Hamper Drivers in Q2
The one-hour session at Albert Park saw conditions cool and tricky, making tyre warmup particularly challenging. Rain was a constant threat throughout the session, adding to the challenge faced by drivers. Gasly and teammate Esteban Ocon both ran a second new set of Softs in Q1 on two push laps, advancing to Q2 with Ocon fourth and Gasly thirteenth. However, Ocon narrowly missed out on a third top-10 appearance of the year. He exited Q2 in eleventh place and missed out on Q3 by just 0.007secs after encountering traffic in the last sector of his final push lap.
Gasly’s Strategy Pays Off
Gasly opted to run a single new set of Softs for the final segment on three push laps, instead of going for two changes like his competitors. His strategy paid off as he managed to reach Q3 and set a time of 1min 17.675secs, which was enough for ninth place on the grid.
Disappointment for Alpine Racing
Despite Gasly’s success, there was disappointment for the Alpine Racing Team, as they had hoped to secure both their drivers a place in Q3. Alan Permane, Sporting Director of Alpine Racing mentioned that they had the pace today to have both cars in Q3, so it’s disappointing not to have achieved that with Esteban out in Q2.
Title: F1 Driver Esteban Ocon Praises Pixar’s “Cars” for its Realism
Esteban Ocon, the Alpine F1 driver, has praised the Pixar movie “Cars” for its realistic portrayal of the racing world. The movie, which features F1 legends like Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso, is a rare example of a movie that honors the racing world in its storyline.
Cutthroat Storyline Resonates with Ocon
Ocon identified with the cutthroat storyline of the movie, which depicts the phenomenon of the legend v. the novice in the world of motorsports. As a young driver competing against drivers like Alonso, Ocon still feels the same energy of wanting to dethrone older drivers in F1 and is still eager to beat the best who have been out in front for a while.
Consistency and Hard Work Key to Ocon’s Success
Ocon has worked hard to succeed in F1, battling hard in every session as teammates with double champion Fernando Alonso in Alpine. His consistency has made him a frequent competitor for points in F1 and a force to be reckoned with on the track.
Realistic Portrayal of Life on Track Fascinates Ocon
Ocon finds the plot, noise, pit stops, race strategy, and tire punctures in “Cars” incredibly realistic. He is fascinated with Doc Hudson’s famous advice: “Turn right to go left.” He feels that these elements of the film give an accurate portrayal of life on track and resonate with him as an F1 driver.
Title: Esteban Ocon’s Journey to Becoming an F1 Driver
Esteban Ocon’s journey to becoming an F1 driver has been long and challenging. From humble beginnings as a young karter to competing against world-class drivers on the F1 circuit today, he has always had the determination and drive to succeed.
The Sacrifices of Ocon’s Family
Ocon’s family made numerous sacrifices for his motorsport career, including selling their family business and living in a caravan during his karting championships. Their unwavering support and belief in him have been instrumental in his success.
Success with Renowned F1 Teams
Ocon’s success has been notable, having started his F1 career with Manor Racing and having a successful stint with Force India. He became a reserve/test driver for Mercedes and was close to joining as a full-time driver but ended up without a seat in F1. He returned to F1 with Renault and is now driving for Alpine, with his first season being successful, including his first race win.
Challenges Ahead for Ocon
Ocon still faces challenges ahead as he competes in what is likely a mid-table team in Formula 1. But given his dedication, determination, and hard work, there is no doubt that he will continue to rise to the occasion and compete with the best on the track.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
