The French Alpine rider returns to the circuit where he won the first time: “Special place. Repeating myself is the goal”
– Milan
Before the single-seater, even before the kart, Pierre Gasly played football. And sometimes he went skating. He was just a child, he supported Psg and in his closet he had a Kappa shirt, just like today in the F1 world championship. The cases of life, the crossroads of the heart. There is no testimonial more appropriate than the French driver “from Milan” to describe the new Trackside capsule collection by Kappa x BWT Alpine F1 Team: racing-inspired suits and outerwear that pay homage to the DNA of the two brands born for sport, chasing performance and innovation. A partnership that began a year ago and of which Lorenzo Boglione, vice president of the company BasicNet, owner of Kappa, says he is very happy. Gasly also smiles, allowing himself an alternative afternoon before his favorite GP. He returns to Monza where three years ago he won the first Grand Prix of his life. “Everyone races to win, not everyone succeeds: it’s a unique feeling. And Monza will always be a special place, the best of my career. I will always be linked to that circuit and returning to it is always nice. The goal is to repeat it one day that result”.
He returns in splendid form, after the podium in Zandvoort, the first of the season.
“It’s an excellent moment for us. The Dutch GP has given us motivation and confidence. And it’s nice that Monza arrives now, a single circuit, few corners, but very technical. One of the fastest tracks in the championship. It will be a great challenge, we’ll try to get the best result possible, like every weekend. There are many superior teams, we’ll need an important race.”
Monza racetrack, 6 September 2020. Two photos from that day, on the AlphaTauri. He starts from P10, finishes first ahead of Sainz and Stroll.
“There are many images that come to mind, I enjoyed every moment of that afternoon, it was very intense. But certainly the first is when I got on the podium: I had dreamed of that moment a thousand times as a child. The second, the phone call from Macron: my phone rang, I didn’t know the number and didn’t want to answer. When I heard “Hi, I’m Macron, your president” it was incredible, something you don’t expect to happen in a normal working day” .
Has Monza changed your life?
“Yes, today people on the street sometimes recognize me. Even the other teams have started to look at me in a different way: it’s my favorite GP, just 15 km from home, the only one that allows me to sleep in my bed “.
Home is Milan, for three years.
“A beautiful city, modern, active, fun, full of things to do. I love Brera, going to restaurants, running in Sempione Park. I love fashion, its creativity: it’s a fascinating world. I love shoes. I like Italy in general, I’ve spent a lot of time here thanks to karts. I like your mentality, your passion for Ferrari.”
He wasn’t born yet when Kappa was a sponsor of Ferrari in the early 90s. Would you like to drive the Red?
“Today I’m focused on the Alpine, but Ferrari is iconic. I grew up with the legend of Senna and Schumacher, many things could happen in the future”.
And he has Zidane’s 10…
“He’s always been my idol. Football was my first sport and I follow it a lot: I’m a big fan of PSG and Zizou, a monument for the French. I also had a number 10 in 2013, won my first major championship , Formula Renault”.
Kappa wore Zidane’s Juve. And also Italy that Trezeguet kicked out with a golden goal in the Euro 2000 final.
“I was too small… I remember Materazzi’s header in the 2006 World Cup final (won by Italy): I burst into tears. My first sporting drama”.
Milan and Inter, who are you rooting for?
“It’s a difficult choice. I know Giroud, but I haven’t decided yet… I go to San Siro, I love the derby climate. I was also there for the Champions League. And this summer for the Coldplay concert: the band’s management had me reserved a seat, but when I arrived it was occupied. “Excuse me, this is my seat”, I said. They replied: “This is my stadium!”. It was Zhang, the president of Inter.”
And what does he do before the start?
“I just want to lie down, empty my mind, breathe, take time for myself, eliminate all distractions. In reality, even on the grid, a thousand thoughts cross your head. Only when the red light turns on do you pass into another dimension”. And don’t think, go. To win.
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