Gasly wants to participate in real Le Mans 24 Hours: "But first focus 100% on F1"

Two weeks ago Pierre Gasly participated in his first 24 hours of Le Mans - the virtual race to be precise. Yet according to the Frenchman, it felt like the real thing.

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the planned Le Mans 24 Hours could not go ahead, just like many other classic races. To fill the gap, a virtual version was planned in which several Formula 1 drivers participated, including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly.

The Frenchman was soon surprised by the sim race, he announced in the F1 Podcast. "I was shocked by how enthusiastic I became, just from a game. But everything seemed so real. I really got into it, because everyone was so competitive. It was really great," says Gasly with a big smile on his face.

"I finished my last stint at 3:30 a.m. and I couldn't sleep until 5:00. I was just looking, checking if the car was okay and everything was going well. Nothing else happened, I slept for three and a half hours, I woke up again and two seconds later I immediately went on the internet to check how we were doing", let the Frenchman know about the night. His team finally finished in fifth place.

Special connection with Le Mans

Gasly is a big fan of the classic race and always wanted to participate. "I've lived there for five years. I studied at Le Mans from the age of 13 to the age of 18, so I feel a special connection to the city. I've been to the race many times, first just as a spectator and later I was in the paddock."

Someday the driver of AlphaTauri wants to take part in the real thing. "But I want to focus 100% on Formula 1. If there is only a good opportunity with good conditions, I can certainly be seduced".