Gasly secures unexpected third in Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying
In a stunning turn of events, Pierre Gasly has secured an impressive third-place start for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking the best qualifying position this season for the Renault-owned Alpine team. This achievement follows closely on the heels of Alpine's double podium finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix, highlighting the team's upward trajectory in Formula 1.
Starting ahead of formidable competitors including Red Bull's Max Verstappen, the current world championship leader, and McLaren's Lando Norris, Gasly's performance has turned heads in the motorsport world. The Frenchman, however, remains grounded, emphasizing his primary competition lies within the midfield. "We're fighting Haas and AlphaTauri in the constructors' [championship]," Gasly remarked, acknowledging the significance of outqualifying the leading contenders but recognizing his team's realistic battles.
Alpine enters the race sixth in the overall constructors' standings, having climbed from ninth after a significant points gain in Brazil. The team sits just ahead of Haas and AlphaTauri, their direct competitors in the midfield battle. Despite this, Gasly's unexpected qualifying position places him only behind Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz for the upcoming race.
Gasly's teammate, Esteban Ocon, who secured a second-place finish in Brazil, qualified 11th, adding to Alpine's potential for a strong race day showing. Reflecting on his top-three qualifying, Gasly shared his excitement, noting, "It's probably the first time I qualify in the top three. And it feels like it was a special one," highlighting the progress since his memorable victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix with AlphaTauri.
Alpine's recent performance surge can be credited to a series of upgrades and focused improvements, as noted by team boss Oliver Oakes. Since taking the helm in August, Oakes has witnessed a significant uptick in the team's competitiveness, with Gasly's exceptional weekend in Las Vegas serving as a testament to their hard work and strategic improvements.
As the lights prepare to go out in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on Gasly and Alpine, as they look to capitalize on their qualifying success in what promises to be a thrilling race.
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