Gasly relishes the Verstappen challenge: 'More at stake against him'
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Updated: 17:40, 04 Apr
5 Comments
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
In the 2026 season so far, Alpine has been able to battle Red Bull Racing on track. Gasly was able to take advantage of the French team's improvement this season, and scored points in all three Grands Prix so far.
In Japan, the French driver was put under pressure by Verstappen, with the two eventually crossing the finish line in seventh and eighth place.
The Frenchman says that battles with the four-time world champion are special, as he never gives up.
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He said: "I mean it's not every single weekend I had the chance to fight with a four-time world champion and I'm glad to be in a position to do it with him.
"So yes, I definitely enjoyed the race because with that extra pressure, there is more at stake, [because of] who you're fighting against. And I also get the best out of myself in this type of performance. I'm very pleased, the pace was good."
Photo: Race Pictures
Positive mood within Alpine
Gasly is currently in eighth place in the drivers standings' with 15 points, which means he is seven points shy of his tally in 2025.
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"Again, best at the end of the top three [teams] in the race. We had the pace again to be behind the top three.
"We managed to do it, even though it was a bit harder start on Friday. But I'm just happy because the car seems to work on all types of tracks really. So I think that's definitely a good boost of confidence.
"I haven't been at the factory yet, but hopefully they'll enjoy seeing us fighting for this type of position. Quite different to last year. And it gives that boost to really get the work done and get ourselves in even better shape," Gasly concluded.
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Belgian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 17.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 18.07.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 19.07.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 17.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 18.07.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 19.07.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 179 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 154 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 147 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 108 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 97 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 82 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 76 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 52 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 42 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 39 |
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