F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Gasly 'should have been looking at a podium' in Hungary

AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly says the chaotic circumstances that marked the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix should have set him up for a podium finish in the eventful race.

Gasly qualified an impressive P5 at the Hungaroring and was ready to battle at the top of F1's mid-field.

But the Frenchman says his forward position on the grid proved to be anything but an advantageous position given the mayhem that took place at the first corner.

The AlphaTauri charger took to the far left as the field barreled down to Turn 1, but veered off course as he avoided the chaotic melee which left him well down the order once the dust had settled.

"I don’t know what to say except that Valtteri f***ed up, took the first six cars pretty much out of the race," he said.

"Luckily we didn’t get damage from it, compared to Max, Lando, Checo too.

©AlphaTauri

"You know, the target was to qualify high in the midfield, to be in the best possible position for the race, that’s what we did and, in the end, we can say we almost over-performed when we qualified ahead of the Ferrari and the McLaren.

"But, in the end, it would have been better to be in our natural position, slightly further back and benefit from this situation…

"You never know when these things will happen, but it’s just a shame."

As the recipient of a bout of luck last year at Monza when a red flag and circumstances propelled him to his maiden F1 win, Gasly knows all too well that when opportunity comes knocking, one must respond.

The Frenchman ultimately finished the Hungarian Grand Prix in fifth place, but he reckons that a podium should have been on the cards.

"From the first corner we were dead last, and in such a track it is extremely difficult to recover, so we had a really good day to still finish P6, we managed to get the fastest lap, but we should have been looking at the podium," he said.

"It’s a bit disappointing, because we think there would have been more to do if we had been slightly luckier at the start."

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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.

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