Opinion

Gasly: 'You’re always judged on the last performance'

AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly is all too aware of the ever-present criticism that sips through social media, but the Frenchman insists he uses the negativity to boost his motivation.

Gasly's troubled 2019 season, which saw him promoted from Toro Rosso to Red Bull only to return to the junior squad after F1's summer break, placed the Frenchman in the line of sight of online critics.

There were those that took aim at Gasly for his lackluster results relative to Max Verstappen and others that lambasted Red Bull for its unfair treatment of the young charger.

But the firing squads that run rampant on social media are just par for the course as far as Gasly is concerned.

"In 2019 and 2020 our generation, everybody is on social media," Gasly told RACER.

"Except Seb (Vettel) who is the only one and the only exception! We are still pushing him to be on Instagram, because it’s not normal these days not to be on social media.

"Obviously you see what’s happening, you see what people are saying.

"In my life, since I was really little, people were telling me, ‘It’s impossible you’re going to make it to F1. Only 20 drivers are in F1, why are you even trying? Blah, blah, blah…’

"I’ve always managed to transform these negative thoughts and negative energy into something positive inside of me.

"To trigger more energy and even stronger motivation and will, and always came out stronger from this negative energy that people were trying to send me."

"I’ve always been used to living with that sort of thing," he added.

"When you are exposed, when you are a top athlete, especially at the top level of a sport – whether it’s Formula 1 or football or basketball – you are always judged for everything you do.

"People easily forget what you have done in the past and why you are here – you’re always judged for the last performance."

Gasly's painful relegation last summer sparked endless debates on social media about his merits, or lack of, and Red Bull's treatment of young drivers.

The Frenchman says the fans' assumptions were expressed without proper knowledge of the facts. The 24-year-old accepts that shortfall, but on the other hand don't count on him to fill in the blanks.

"I just think people judged without having all the information," he said. "As a professional athlete and professional driver I can’t speak, there’s stuff that needs to stay confidential.
"That’s why when people judge without having all the information, sometimes they’re wrong, but that’s their opinion and I accept it.

"I’m a Red Bull-contracted driver, and it’s also thanks to them they brought me into Formula 1.

"What happened in those six months doesn’t change the relationship and what they’ve done for me.

"There were problems, there were struggles, there were things that could have been fixed, and if we had to do this story again a lot of things would be different.

“But at the same time I’m still contracted with them, we’ve spoken about the things that didn’t go well, but then it’s not up to me to come into the media and say ‘This wasn’t right and this was wrong’.

"It’s not the right thing to do, and that’s why I don’t do it."

“Of course then you need to deal with the negative thoughts and negative energy sometimes, but there are a lot of people that are bringing positive energy and positive vibes, and that’s the people I’m focusing on and that are supporting."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.

Recent Posts

Marko: ‘No chance at all’ for Red Bull in Las Vegas

Helmut Marko believes that Red Bull and Max Verstappen are unlikely to challenge for victory…

2 hours ago

GM revives bid to join F1 with accelerated talks for 2026 entry

Automotive giant General Motors is reportedly back in the game as a potential entrant in…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Thursday's action in pictures

The opening day of running at the Las Vegas GP was a smooth but chilly…

5 hours ago

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

6 hours ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

8 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

9 hours ago