The sheer determination and drive that Formula 1 drivers have really give them an edge over other athletes. That being said, within the sport, the motivation to thrive is not really sparse. However, for Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, racing, post-2019, is more than just accumulating accolades for himself. In 2023, however, his bond with a fallen hero of our sport has added a special dynamic to his story in F1. And this was strengthened for the Frenchman at the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix.

Back in 2019, the wider motorsport community and F1 in general suffered an unimaginable loss, when Alpine junior driver, Anthoine Hubert lost his life during an F2 Feature Race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Five years later, Gasly still races on with his close friend, Hubert in his heart. But last weekend’s event gave Gasly a stoic yet very emotionally charged moment as the sport he loves so dearly came together to honor his best friend.

Pierre Gasly reflects on Hubert’s tribute

Gasly rallied the troops in attendance at the Belgian GP to honor the memory of his late friend, Hubert and Dilano van’ t Hoff who also tragically passed away during a FRECA race on the 1st of July this year. Looking back at the ‘Run for Anthoine’ tribute, Gasly introspected about the camaraderie within the paddock and what it means to race with Hubert’s memory.

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He began, “It was very emotional, I must say. I’m really proud of our sport. I’ve just seen, in these tremendous conditions, most of the people in the paddock whether it’s F1, F2 and F3 gathered together on the grid. Obviously it was a very meaningful sort of run for me for Anthoine [Hubert] and obviously Dilano [van’t Hoff], who we lost a couple of weeks ago,” while talking to Channel 4’s Lee McKenzie.

But racing for Hubert has taken on a different, more profound meaning for the Frenchman as he joined Alpine this year. “It is no surprise to anyone how close I was to Anthoine. I kind of grew up with him my whole life. I can relate to what happened with him. It was a moment to remember my friend, paying tribute to my friend as a race driver. Also the fact that I’m racing for Alpine this season. He was an Alpine driver. I feel like I’m carrying some sort of his dream with me,” Gasly concluded.

Pierre Gasly Dedicates Spa Heroics to Late Friend Anthoine Hubert During Emotionally Charged Post Sprint Interview

While racing for the memory of his dear friend will surely gee him up, coming to Spa every year since Hubert’s death has been the most taxing aspect of his F1 career.

Gasly reveals “contradictory” feelings about Spa

On the one hand, Gasly knows how lucky and privileged he is to be living out his dream of being a Formula 1 driver. However, on the flip side, the human aspect cannot be ignored. As Gasly does appreciate the opportunity to drive an iconic track like Spa, in his mind somewhere he does dread the trip to Stavelot every year.

Autosport.com quoted him as revealing, “I think I link places with emotions, and I’ve had the worst emotions of my life here. But at the same time, it’s one of my favorite tracks, so it’s very contradictory. I love this track, and I love racing this track, but at the same time I’ll never forget what I felt going down these stairs [in the paddock] when my parents told me the news.”

Can Pierre Gasly honor his friend, Anthoine Hubert with a win with Alpine this season?

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