Gasly: 'Honda wants to feel that their work is appreciated'

Pierre Gasly celebrates his birthday today. In conversation with Speedweek, the Frenchman looks back on his time in Japan, where he was hugely popular in 2017 through his participation in the Super Formula series.

Gasly worked closely with Honda in that year, and the 26-year-old remains involved with the Japanese company in Formula 1 through his time at AlphaTauri and Red Bull Racing, and the country and culture left a deep impression on him. Gasly became champion in GP2 in 2016, so it was a great honour for Honda to work with him.

"For the Japanese, respect plays a fundamental role. They want to feel that their work is appreciated and that they are involved in every step of the process. I can understand all that, so maybe that's why I like working with them so much", Gasly says of Honda's working methods.

Gasly proud of achievement with Honda

In the 2020 F1 season, the Frenchman won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, a highlight of his career. It was also the 50th Grand Prix in which AlphaTauri competed in using the Honda engine. According to Gasly, the fact that he won his first race with Honda cannot be taken away from him and he will always be proud of it.

In 2022 Gasly will drive again at AlphaTauri, but the driver is hoping for a seat at the Red Bull team in 2023. In 2019, the Frenchman was transferred back to the sister team mid-season due to disappointing results at Red Bull.