Pierre Gasly says he was touched by Sir Jackie Stewart’s emotional reaction to the Alpine driver’s unveiling in Austin of his special François Cevert tribute helmet.
Cevert – one of the most gifted and popular F1 drivers of his generation – was killed at just 29 during qualifying for the 1973 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.
Fifty years on, Gasly saw it fit to honour his late countryman’s memory by racing at The Circuit of the Americas with Cevert’s helmet design.
As the Frenchman’s teammate and mentor at Team Tyrrell in the early seventies, Stewart was shown the commemorative lid by Gasly who was moved by the F1 legend's poignant reaction.
“It was very emotional,” said Gasly, quoted by RaceFans. “I was actually very surprised how emotional Jackie was when I opened the bag and he saw the helmet design, and it was my first proper time chatting with Sir Jackie Stewart.”
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Before his promising career as a Grand Prix driver was tragically cut short, Cevert - who won his only race in F1 with Tyrrell at Watkins Glan in 1971 – became close friends with Stewart.
The great Scot conquered his third and final title in F1 in 1973, a year during which he ramped up his grooming of Cevert, knowing that the latter would replace him at Tyrrell the following year, although he kept to himself until the end of the season his decision to retire from motorsport.
Gasly said that Stewart shared “a lot of great stories” about his time with Cevert, about their relationship and friendship and about how the charismatic and rapid Frenchman had actually been faster than him on several occasions during Tyrrell's campaign in 1973.
“There were definitely some good chats and I’m glad we managed to make it [the helmet] and also for Francois’ family, I think they definitely appreciated the tribute and it shows he left a really good legacy in our sport," Gasly said.
“In France he is definitely a big part of French history in F1 and motorsport.
“He had a very unique personality, character, was also very successful in a short time for the number of grands prix that he’s taken part and he had a very bright future ahead of him.
“So, I think it’s definitely important to recognise these champions and it was important for me to have this tribute after 50 years.”
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