[smr2018test]
Pierre Gasly said he tore his racing suit on the winglet which had been fitted to his Halo when he got into his car during today’s test.
“I don’t like it, it’s just a big mess to get in the car and get out,” he told media including RaceFans after today’s test. “My suit is already broken.”
“It’s quite weird conditions but nothing really important,” he added. “I just prefer the old cars, that’s it.”
The Toro Rosso driver admitted he isn’t a fan of the new development but said it didn’t cause him any problems once he was behind the wheel.
“To drive with it, it doesn’t make a big difference,” he said. “In terms of visibility it’s the same.”
“Of course you see something on top of you which is a bit weird. But when you start to drive you are so focussed, you just pay attention to your driving, you don’t really see it.”
Getting out of the car is also “quite a big challenge” and could slow drivers’ escape in an emergency, said Gasly.
“It could take longer, that’s for sure. [But] it doesn’t worry me because I don’t think about any bad things. For sure I think it will be longer to get out, that’s what we have for this year. I don’t know if we’ll have it for the next couple of years but we’ll have to get used to it.”
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nase
27th February 2018, 17:53
To anyone wondering whether he’s actually more eloquent in his mother tongue: nope, he isn’t.
Josh (@canadianjosh)
27th February 2018, 17:57
Meaning he’s rude?
nase
27th February 2018, 18:40
No, he has a penchant for very simple language. I was a bit shocked when I first heard him give an interview in French. It’s not as obvious here, but I think it’s shining through.
sethje (@seth-space)
27th February 2018, 19:15
You prefer PR language or just an honest opinion?
nase
27th February 2018, 21:36
Geometrically speaking, your question is orthogonal to my remark.
GeeMac (@geemac)
28th February 2018, 8:48
Does anyone really expect a 22 year old kid, who has done nothing but excel at driving racing cars his whole life, to be a magnificent orator?
Josh (@canadianjosh)
27th February 2018, 17:55
Nice to hear a driver speak his mind, rare these days especially from a rookie but I like Gasly already.
Jason Blankenship (@jblank)
27th February 2018, 18:25
Agree. I despise this thing, but it’s going to take someone like Hamilton ripping it before they consider its removal.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
27th February 2018, 17:57
Get used to it. Anything to do with F1 designers, by this time next year it’ll be like a Red Bull front wing, with 30 winglets on it!
Or is the wing a cunning plan by Honda to stop him talking about the engine?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th February 2018, 18:20
@bullfrog He was fairly positive about the engine, actually, will try to get that written up later.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
27th February 2018, 18:46
I mean, that’s not really something to hold over the halo, that’s teams being opportunists and it having adverse effects
Joao (@johnmilk)
27th February 2018, 18:52
they are clinging to the most ridiculous things to “attack” it.
Is here to stay, unless something better replaces it, just get over it already.
Too much “non-news” regarding the halo
sethje (@seth-space)
27th February 2018, 19:17
Maybe the lesson is that the Halo stays clean without any winglets and other strange contraptions. If it’s the rule everyone has the same Halo . Design a car that do not need strange things on the halo: Ferrari and Red Bull can.
sethje (@seth-space)
27th February 2018, 19:20
Ah, Ferrari already put a winglet it seems.. that leaves Red Bull ;)
cm-cm
27th February 2018, 22:57
@hahostolz , @johnmilk that’s funny, because the only silly remarks made here, are from you two…
Joao (@johnmilk)
28th February 2018, 8:49
Are you entertained?
Jere (@jerejj)
27th February 2018, 19:35
Am I the only one who prefers last season’s driving suit color scheme, which is the same as the car livery color scheme?
joe pineapples
27th February 2018, 19:36
Good job they don’t race in space.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
27th February 2018, 21:58
Unforseen consequences of the winglets, strange decision by the fia.
Can a driver compete in fia events with a torn suit? Imagine, 5 mins for race start, winglet ripps my suit, what do I do?
ferrox glideh (@ferrox-glideh)
27th February 2018, 22:11
Winglets ripped my flesh!
Phylyp (@phylyp)
28th February 2018, 7:25
The FIA will institute a rule that if you’re on the podium… “Don’t turn around!”
Giuseppe
28th February 2018, 5:46
I heard the tear was ghastly.
My Left Eye (@blik)
28th February 2018, 6:52
Children moaning and groaning. What’s changed?
petebaldwin (@)
28th February 2018, 12:26
How to sound old and bitter in one easy step…. :D
JimG (@jimg)
28th February 2018, 10:24
How did he get holes in the back of his suit from something attached to the Halo? I don’t understand.