Top-ten starter Gasly praises Toro Rosso crew for 'great calls'

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For the second time this season, Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly will enjoy a top-ten start after an impressive performance in Saturday's Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session.

Gasly side-stepped the difficult weather-induced conditions, skillfully navigating his way through the various qualifying segments.

The Frenchman praised however his Toro Rosso crew for its timely calls in a 60-minute session in which all of Pirelli's weather compounds were used.

"What a crazy qualifying, we had the slick tyres, inters, wets…," enthused Gasly.

"Just a fantastic day for the team, we had difficult weekends and that P6 today is just unbelievable!"

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The 22-year-old admitted however that conditions were treacherous.

"It was really tricky because the conditions were changing every two laps," he said.

"Honestly they did the right call, I was trying to give clear feedback but they did the right call, putting the slick tyres on at the right time, inters and wet so a really good job by the team.

"In the dry the car felt really good since the beginning of the weekend, and it's a track that I love and I knew that would be an opportunity for this weekend.

"So far everything went well but the most important day is tomorrow so hopefully it ca keep going like this.

The last time Gasly found himself in such an advantageous position on the grid was in Bahrain, where he delivered an impressive fourth-place finish.

Sunday's run may however prove more challenging given Hungary's limiting overtaking opportunities.

"You've got Max [Verstappen] right behind us, you've got Daniel as well with mega pace," added the Gas-man.

"It's going to be difficult to keep these guys behind, even if the car feels great.

"It's going to be tough but we'll keep pushing, we have both cars in the top-ten so a really good performance by Toro Rosso, and hopefully we can score a couple of points tomorrow."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.