Gasly Defends Colapinto After Team Order Incident in US Grand Prix
Pierre Gasly has come to the defense of his teammate Franco Colapinto following an incident involving a breach of team orders during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin. In the final stages of the race, Colapinto was instructed to maintain his position behind Gasly as both drivers managed their fuel, while not being in the points zone. However, the Argentine driver disregarded the order and overtook Gasly in turn 1, leading to a disagreement. Alpine team principal Steve Nielsen expressed that it was ‘disappointing’ for Colapinto to have disobeyed the team order.
Gasly’s Response
In a conversation with the press in Mexico, Gasly chose not to delve into the details of the incident but reaffirmed his confidence in his teammate: “We’ve discussed it, but I don’t see the need to talk more about it here,” Gasly said. When questioned about the situation, he explained that what needed to be said had already been said, and the team is focused on moving forward together: “We’re just trying to work together as a team, and that’s what we want to achieve,” he added.
Team Performance and Improvement
Gasly also commented on the need for improvement in the team’s performance, highlighting issues such as long pit stops that need to be corrected: “What happened in the second stint was frustrating, and we lost time with it. We’re working to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He also emphasized that the incident in Austin does not reflect Colapinto’s ability as a driver: “Overall, he’s done a good job. What happened last week doesn’t reflect what he’s achieved as a driver. It was a decision he’ll learn from, but the most important thing is that he’s been positive for the team,” he added.
Importance of Team Unity
The French driver highlighted the importance of everyone in the team pushing in the same direction, especially during the challenging times that Alpine is facing in the current season: “The most important thing is for us to be united and focused on the next steps,” he concluded. This emphasis on team unity and collective effort is crucial as the team navigates through difficulties and seeks to improve its performance in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gasly’s defense of Colapinto after the team order incident in the US Grand Prix underscores the importance of teamwork and unity, even in the face of challenges and disagreements. As the team continues to work towards improvement, the support and confidence among teammates will be essential in achieving their goals.
