Pierre Gasly says the latter stages of the Sao Paulo GP “felt like an eternity” as he successfully fended off the challenge of George Russell on his way to third place.
Gasly started only 13th after getting caught by the same red flag as Max Verstappen in Q2.
Up to ninth on the first lap, he then lost a sport to the charging Verstappen. He then gained a few more positions before the VSC led to several drivers pitting for fresh intermediates.
Like team mate Esteban Ocon and Verstappen he didn’t pit, and moved up to third before a red flag gave him a free tyre change.
He remained third through the second half of the race despite pressure from Russell, crossing the line just three seconds behind Ocon.
“He was quite big in the mirrors,” said Gasly of the Mercedes driver. “I must say it wasn’t easy. It was difficult conditions. I wasn’t at ease with the car balance. So I was kind of like fighting it a bit. But I always had him at bay.
“I don’t think he ever had the idea of trying anything. So I knew as long as I keep him within one second, it’ll be good enough. He damaged a bit his tyres. So it was a long end of the race, but we managed to hold him off.
“There was Lando [Norris] at the restart and Charles [Leclerc] as well. So we’ve had our fair battles during the entire race, which felt like an eternity, to be fair, with the red flag and in these conditions.
“But we managed to make the right calls, faultless drive and strategy and excellent day for the team.”
Gasly made it clear that it hasn’t been an easy season for the Enstone camp.
“It’s been very difficult for everyone at times,” he said. “You’ve got to come every single weekend with the same mindset, the same approach, trying to put your best, even though you know that your chances are not really high.
“But it’s important to never give up because, you know, especially on days like today, anything’s possible.
“And I’m very grateful for all the work the team has been doing, because it all makes it worth it on a day like today when we get both cars on the podium.
“I don’t think anyone in the world today would have thought at some point this year, two Alpines are going to be on the podium.”
