Gasly 'keeping cool' on Bahrain GP podium chances

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AlphaTauri charger Pierre Gasly is keeping in check his expectations of snatching a podium in F1's opening round in Bahrain following his strong performance in qualifying.

The Frenchman will line up fifth on Sunday's grid, confirming AlphaTauri's impressive pace displayed in pre-season testing.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc edged Gasly by just 0.2s in the Saturday evening shootout. However, the Monegasque resorted to Pirelli's soft tyre to ease his way into Q3 while Gasly's start on the medium compound could deliver a strategic advantage in the race over his Scuderia rival.

"I think it’s an amazing start for us," Gasly said. "I don’t think I have achieved P5 many times with this team and to start 2021 in that way, using the Mediums on Q2 – that will give us an advantage in the race – I have to honestly say everything went as we could have dreamed of.

"I think we’re ready to give Charles a good fight tomorrow."

Asked about his chances of stepping up onto the podium at Sakhir later today, the 2020 Italian GP winner vowed to keep "cool" and focus on execution while hoping for a solid bag of points at the end of day.

"Let’s keep it cool, OK?" he said. "We’ll keep it cool for now, there are clearly big points on the table for us, so we just have to execute everything perfectly, with what we have learned from testing, but I’m excited."

Read also: Gasly admits Red Bull tenure 'was never going to work'

While Gasly will have his sights on Leclerc just ahead when the lights go out, the Frenchman will also need to watch his back, as McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo determined to give him a run fr his money at the outset.

"It is going to be very unpredictable," said the Aussie. "I am sure that Gasly will be quick on the medium but may be at the start he will be vulnerable.

"Charles put in a good lap. He did that last year as well. Does he have the race pace to keep it? We are not sure. I am sure that their car is better this year.

"I think we have a few good fights, maybe two or other three teams 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.