Gasly on Leclerc contact: There was not a lot I could do in Styrian F1 GP

Starting from sixth on the grid, Gasly was in the middle of Leclerc and Fernando Alonso on the exit of Turn 1.

Leclerc was forced to take to the escape road with Gasly sandwiched in the middle, with Alonso on the right.

As the Ferrari driver returned to the track, Leclerc veered slightly right and hit the back of Gasly’s car, puncturing his rear-left tyre.

Leclerc had to pit for a new front wing, while the puncture damaged the suspension on his AlphaTauri, forcing Gasly into early retirement.

Giving his side of the story, Gasly said: “There was contact and it completely punched my rear tyre. So I ended up on three wheels, even on two wheels at some point, so definitely not what we wanted and a big shame.

“We had an amazing weekend until now, so I’m really disappointed not to be able to fight for points and especially to score points because we had a great package this weekend.

“I didn’t really see the replays, not yet, but, in the end, it’s not going to change what happened. I was in the middle of the straight when this happened, so I don’t think there was a lot I could do, and it’s a shame.”

With the Red Bull Ring hosting a second grand prix next weekend, Gasly is hopeful he is able to replicate the same level of performance.

“It’s really frustrating, and we know how important it is to score points all the time,“ Gasly added. “As soon as you’re out for a race it costs you a lot in the championship. Now it’s just about moving on into the next weekend. I think we know the rest of the weekend was pretty good so we try to repeat that the next weekend.”