MONZA (Italy): Pierre Gasly won his maiden Formula One race on Sunday at the Italian Grand Prix for the Alpha Tauri team amid chaos that saw crashes and penalties.
The first French race winner in 24 years seized his opportunity and resisted late pressure from Carlos Sainz of McLaren to claim his team’s second victory with Lance Stroll finishing third for Racing Point.
“It was such a crazy race,” said Gasly.
It was the Alpha Tauri outfit’s second win on Italian soil – the first having been scored for them when they raced as Toro Rosso by Sebastian Vettel, his maiden F1 win in a rain-hit race in 2008
Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton was on his way to a comfortable win before a 10-second stop-go penalty for taking a pit stop when the pit lane was closed, pushed the Mercedes world champion to the back of the pack.
“I really want to acknowledge @PierreGASLY for his amazing win. It is so well deserved. For me, whilst I never like to lose I am grateful for the challenge. All we can do is continue to fight and never give up. To my guys, thank you all for continuing to push,” tweeted Hamilton.
Hamilton
The six-time champion eventually ended up in seventh place.
Gasly, who was dropped by Red Bull to rejoin the junior sister team last year, jumped for joy as he leapt from his car, was the first French driver to win a Grand Prix since Olivier Panis was triumphant at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix.
“Honestly, it’s unbelievable,” said the 24-year-old from Rouen.
“I don’t think I’m realising what’s happening right now. We’ve been through so much in the past 18 months. I have no words.”
The Ferrari-bound Sainz said he was “halfway disappointed” with his first podium finish.
“You wouldn’t believe I would have a chance at victory, but in a normal race I think I could have finished second behind Lewis.”
