Monza, Italy – As Max Verstappen’s winning streak continues to make headlines, Pierre Gasly weighs in on the impending challenge that the Italian Grand Prix presents to the Red Bull Racing driver. With Verstappen aiming to extend his F1 2023 record of consecutive victories, Gasly recognizes the unique demands of Monza and the impressive synergy between Verstappen and his team.
Following Verstappen’s historic ninth consecutive victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, which drew parallels to Sebastian Vettel’s record, the Formula One community eagerly awaits the Italian Grand Prix where Verstappen could set a new benchmark with ten consecutive wins. Despite the overwhelming odds in favor of Verstappen and his dominant Red Bull car, Gasly offers a nuanced perspective on the ongoing streak.
Pierre Gasly, who has both competed against and now observes Verstappen’s dominance from his position as an Alpine driver, attributes the success to a perfect alignment of factors. He comments, “They’ve got a good base, they’ve got a good car, they’ve got an excellent driver, he’s the focus of the team. It’s just everything is performing at its best exactly at the same moment, which ended up with such a domination.”
Gasly also elaborates on Verstappen’s prowess, emphasizing his talent as a driver and the confidence built through consistent victories. “He is performing at his best, I think the Red Bull car is objectively and definitely the fastest in this paddock,” Gasly notes. He also points out Red Bull’s adeptness at pit stops and the overall harmony within the team.
Regarding Verstappen’s impressive win streak, Gasly touches on the sense of invincibility that comes with continuous success. “And on top of that, you know that every single weekend you come with the fastest car, so it’s almost like kind of feeling a bit invincible. And that’s a bit where they are at at the moment,” he observes.
As the F1 circus descends upon Monza, Gasly acknowledges that this race presents the most significant challenge for Verstappen’s streak. The Monza circuit, known for its low drag and DRS-assisted overtaking opportunities, could disrupt Verstappen’s dominant performance. “I’ll be surprised if he pulls out his 32-second lead like he can do on some other tracks,” Gasly remarks, underlining the uniqueness of Monza’s demands.
With the Italian Grand Prix promising a captivating clash between Verstappen’s pursuit of history and Monza’s dynamic layout, the F1 world watches in anticipation. While Verstappen’s dominance is undeniable, Gasly’s insights remind us that even the most remarkable streaks can face formidable challenges, and Monza could be the stage for a thrilling twist in the F1 narrative.
