Reuters
Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 4, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates qualifying in pole position Pool via REUTERS/Francisco Seco
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 4, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates qualifying in pole position Pool via REUTERS/Francisco Seco
Pierre Gasly has impressed everyone since his return to the AlphaTauri team in mid-2019. He has stood on a podium thrice and even won the race in the 2020 Italian Grand Prix. And given his progress with the sister team, he was given another chance at the Red Bull team this season.
But team principal Franz Tost believes that Gasly is the gut who can closely challenge Max Verstappen at the Austrian team right now.
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Gasly could get close: Franz Tost
As reported by Sport1, the AlphaTauri team boss believes that the Dutchman is a very technical driver. When asked about Max’s ‘teammate killer’ image and if any driver could challenge him, he picked Pierre Gasly.
“Gasly could get close. But Max is the technical lead driver on the team. That means he develops the car exactly as he wants it to be. It could be that the second pilot has difficulties,” said Tost.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 28: Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost looks on in the paddock during Day Three of F1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 28, 2020, in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Tost mentions the unique elements that make Verstappen a special driver.
“I don’t want to say specifically, but he has a unique feeling for how he gets the most out of the braking point, to the turning point, and then to the apex. There are other drivers who don’t get along very well with a car that was built for Max. Because they have a different driving style,” said Franz. (Translated via Google Translate)
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The AlphaTauri boss is rooting for Max Verstappen to win the title
Franz stated he is backing Max to take the title in the 2021 season. He also stated that he was very impressed with his drive at Zandvoort and he does not seem to be fazed by the challenge of Hamilton mentally.
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Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 5, 2021, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the race Pool via REUTERS/Francisco Seco
“The answer was his home race at Zandvoort. If you can dominate in front of the frenetic fans in your home country with all the pressure of expectation, you no longer have to fear anything. That impressed me very much. Max cannot be thrown off balance.
“He focuses on race to race. He wants to win every race. If a collision is to be avoided, then he will. If not, then not. Then it just crashes. And that’s that!” concluded Tost.
It would be interesting to see if the new and improved Gasly could challenge Verstappen in his prime.
Can Gasly beat Max in a Red Bull? Let us know.
