Gasly wants to see out F1 season, skip Super Formula finale

Pierre Gasly would like to see out the Formula 1 season with Toro Rosso and give up the chance to win the Super Formula title at the Suzuka finale that clashes with the United States Grand Prix weekend.

2016 GP2 champion Gasly was placed in Japan's Super Formula series for 2017 by Red Bull, with two race wins and a second-place finish in the last three races putting him just half a point off the points leader heading to the title showdown at Suzuka on October 22.

Gasly was called up to make his F1 race debut in Malaysia with Toro Rosso in place of Daniil Kvyat, with the team confirming he would also be racing in Japan next weekend. No firm plans have been made beyond that though.

The Super Formula finale clashes directly with the F1 weekend in Austin, Texas, but Gasly would like to race in the latter more.

"A title is always important. After winning GP2, if I can win Super Formula, that would be great," Gasly said.

"But if I can race in Austin, that will be even more amazing. We will see.

"At the moment I’m in Malaysia, I’m in my first Formula 1 race tomorrow. It’s something which is going to be so special that it’s the only thing I’m thinking about at the moment.

"If I can finish the year in F1, then I will finish the year in F1."

When asked if racing in Austin would be more important than a motorsport title, Gasly said: "It’s exactly where I want to be, in Formula 1. I think it could be a really useful experience.

"As I said I keep learning in the car and feeling more confident, so all the laps I can get with the team will be useful for the future."

Gasly qualified 15th for his first F1 race on Saturday in Malaysia, and was pleased with the result and the progress he has made.

"It was positive. I tried to give my best and tried to learn as quick as possible in the free practices," Gasly said.

"Definitely in qualifying, especially Q1, I think we did a big step on the car and I felt much more confident than in free practices. So that was positive.

"After finishing I think 0.15s from Carlos [Sainz Jr.], it was also quite good. I can feel that I’m still feeling better and better lap after lap.

"I think it’s quite promising for the future."