Pierre Gasly has revealed ongoing discussions with Alpine about a possible racing opportunity at Le Mans, while expressing his admiration for Max Verstappen’s recent victory in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie at the Nordschleife. Gasly’s comments came during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend as he reflected on Verstappen’s impressive GT3 debut and the appeal of branching out into endurance racing.
Verstappen’s Nordschleife Win Impresses Gasly
Max Verstappen secured a win at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the Langstrecken-Serie between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Formula 1 races. The Dutch driver teamed up with British racer Chris Lulham, who has been part of Verstappen’s sim racing outfit, Team Redline, for an extended period. Starting third on the grid, Verstappen quickly moved into the lead by Turn 1 and steadily increased his advantage before handing the car over to Lulham, who maintained the pace to claim victory.
Gasly shared his thoughts on Verstappen’s entry into GT racing, saying,
“I saw some of the highlights,”
showing that he followed the race with interest. He added,
“I did go on the internet to have a look at the race start and looked a few things up to see how it went.”
He praised Verstappen’s ability to put together a strong team and resources for this type of competition, stating,
“No, I must say, I find it really cool. It’s great for Max to have the opportunity to organise these things. Ultimately, it’s great. It got to a point where, for him, he’s got his team, he’s got his cars, he’s got… Let’s say, he’s got a nice set-up to just go around and actually do this type of racing.”
Gasly further expressed enthusiasm for what Verstappen has been accomplishing outside of Formula 1, emphasizing the crossover from sim racing to real-world events:
“I think it’s great for the sport. And ultimately, I wouldn’t mind joining him in the future on some of this racing because I think it’s just incredible. Obviously, we like cars, we like racing. I think the fact of taking someone from the sim world as well, it’s quite a unique story. I find it’s really respectful and really cool from his part to do all these things.”
Gasly Reflects on Potential GT and Endurance Racing Roles
When questioned about his Alpine contract and the possibility of racing outside F1, Gasly showed openness but highlighted the logistical challenges.
“I haven’t asked if I’ll be able to race in a Ferrari. But yeah, I mean, why not? I’m keen on racing, I love that,”
he said.
He noted that managing such ventures requires careful preparation and resources:
“For me, at this stage, it’s just not that simple to organise this type of thing. If you do it, you want to do it well, right? You want to practice, get some running in the cars. Do it with people that you trust, that can provide a good set-up. I think I just don’t have that, so it will just require a bit more energy, etc., which, at the moment, is not the right time. But for sure, hopefully in the near future, it’s something that I could explore.”
Interest in the Iconic Nordschleife and Le Mans Prospects
Gasly also expressed a strong desire to compete on the Nordschleife, calling it a legendary race circuit unlike any other.
“The Nordschleife is an iconic race track. I think it’s just insane. There’s nothing that comes close to it, really. So yeah, definitely keen on that,”
he stated.
Regarding Alpine’s endurance racing program, Gasly confirmed ongoing discussions about potentially driving the Alpine Le Mans car. However, he cautioned that the plans are at an early stage.
“Yeah, there are talks [about the Alpine Le Mans car]. But again, it’s all about finding the right time and the right way of doing it. There are talks, but let’s say it’s still a long way until we make it something proper,”
he explained.
This interest suggests Gasly is motivated to expand his racing portfolio beyond the Formula 1 grid and is exploring avenues to do so once the timing and conditions align.
Verstappen’s GT3 Win Underlines the Growing Appeal of Multi-Discipline Racing
Verstappen’s triumph alongside Lulham in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie highlights the growing trend of F1 drivers exploring other racing disciplines and formats. Verstappen’s approach of blending sim racers within his team exemplifies the evolving motorsport landscape where virtual and real-world racing training interconnect.
This cross-discipline participation benefits both athletes and fans by showcasing versatility and broadening the appeal of motorsport.
Looking Ahead: What Gasly’s Discussions Could Mean for His Career
If the talks between Gasly and Alpine result in a Le Mans campaign, it could mark a significant new chapter in the French driver’s career. Competing in one of the most prestigious endurance races would not only diversify his racing experiences but also enhance his profile within international motorsport.
Gasly’s passion for racing and willingness to explore opportunities beyond F1 reaffirm his determination to push boundaries, while his admiration for Verstappen indicates strong camaraderie and inspiration within the paddock.
