Pierre Gasly joined AlphaTauri (then Toro Rosso) in 2017. Since 2021, when Yuki Tsunoda arrived he has been serving as the team’s senior driver. And now that Gasly is set to join Alpine in 2023, the weight of seniority will fall on Tsunoda’s shoulders. The Frenchman however isn’t sure whether his Japanese counterpart is ready for the role.

Sebastian Vettel will retire at the end of the season and Fernando Alonso will fill his cockpit in Aston Martin. Pierre Gasly will fill the seat at Alpine left by Fernando Alonso. Nyck de Vries, who impressed in his one-off race at the Italian GP this season will replace Gasly at AlphaTauri but the team will have no experienced driver.

Pierre Gasly on Yuki Tsunoda taking up the leadership role

Gasly’s departure will see Tsunoda taking the role of the senior driver of the team. AlphaTauri management has clearly shown their trust in Yuki, who was in his rookie season until last year. Gasly recently praised his teammate for how he has developed. However, he expressed his concern about whether he was ready for the leadership role next season.

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 In his interview with motorsport-total.com, the Frenchman said, “I guess only time will tell if Yuki has what it takes to become a team leader.” Pierre talked about how Yuki needs to work on self-control and has the people on the team to guide him through. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he continues to improve next season, because he knows what he needs to work on – self-control. But he is surrounded by good people so that he can keep developing as a driver”

Watch: Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda Singing a Horrible Rendition of Adele’s Acclaimed Song With Over 3 Billion Views

With 12 points to his name, Yuki Tsunoda is currently sitting in 17th in the drivers’ standings. His teammate Pierre Gasly is sitting in 14th with 23 points to his name. Gasly is currently trailing Haas’ Kevin Magnussen by just 1 point and will hope to overcome the deficit by the end of the season.

Gasly on the brink of an unwanted record

Pierre Gasly picked another penalty point at the Mexican GP after the incident involving Lance Stroll. In lap 13 of the race, the AlphaTauri driver pushed Stroll wide off the track and gained an unfair advantage. He did not give the place back and resultantly the stewards handed him a 5-second time penalty.

The incident took his penalty points tally to 10. If he accumulates two more penalty points, he will get a race ban. The first penalty point he got was during the Spanish GP this season, which will expire on 22nd May 2023.

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Ever since the introduction of the penalty points system in 2014, no driver has faced a race ban. Gasly will have to be very careful not to get his name on this unwanted record.