Virus-hit Gasly happy with P10 in ‘not my best shape’

Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly was satisfied with his Mexican Grand Prix qualifying efforts despite not being “in my best shape”. 

Gasly was among a number of people to have been affected by a virus-related illness which has swept through the Mexico City paddock during the weekend. 

The Frenchman reported he was unwell on Saturday morning and missed the first half of final practice, before rejoining later on in the session and going on to qualify 10th on the grid, just behind teammate Daniil Kvyat. 

“I didn’t sleep much [on Friday night],” Gasly explained. “There’s a virus going round, quite a lot of people are sick. I just got it. 

“It wasn’t a great feeling [Saturday] morning, but I just tried to rest all day long and to do the job when it mattered.

“I don’t really know where it came from. I felt pretty bad but it’s starting to get better.

“Once you get the adrenaline and the speed and you know you have to do the job, you switch to a different zone,” he added. 

“In terms of concentration, it’s a bit tougher. I was still able to do a good job, but for sure I wasn’t in my best shape.” 

Asked if he found it frustrating to be 10th on the grid as oppose to 11th and having free tyre choice for the race, Gasly replied: “This was the risk, but at the same time, we don’t have the pace to fight with McLaren. 

“I think ninth and 10th was the best we could get. We tried with the prime on the first run in Q2, but the time difference was too big. 

“You can’t play games slowing down before the line. We need to see if it will be a disadvantage or if we can manage to make it work.”