Gasly frustrated by first lap crash

Pierre Gasly spurned the opportunity to race in front of his home fans in Paul Ricard with a first lap collision that put both himself and fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon out of the race.

Gasly looked to make up positions early on in the race after qualifying P14 and took a dive on Ocon into turn three that ended in the end in tears.

Both Gasly and Ocon received reprimands for the collision, and Gasly said: “I’m very disappointed, it was tough to finish the race after just three corners.

“In Turn 3 I went on the inside and I thought Esteban had seen me, when I saw he closed the door I couldn’t avoid the collision.”

“It’s a shame to have this incident – especially at the French GP with two French drivers.

“It’s very difficult to take, I really wanted to do well this weekend and it’s definitely not wanted from my home race.”

Gasly stays 11th in the standings with 18 points, with Ocon two places behind with 11.