Pierre Gasly admits there’s one ‘very inspiring’ F1 driver he looks up to on the grid

Follow us on Google Discover

Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has admitted that he really looks up to Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton as he tries to spread a positive message outside of the sport.

Gasly was speaking on the Beyond the Grid Podcast after a topsy-turvy first season with French team Alpine.

Although he’s only 27, Pierre Gasly is now one of the more experienced drivers on the grid.

He’s taken part in 128 races and has one famous victory to his name in Italy in 2020.

The Frenchman came through the Red Bull academy and starred for Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri via a difficult spell at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.

At the end of last year, Gasly decided to join French team Alpine alongside Esteban Ocon and looks set to outscore his new teammate.

He’s not always had the easiest relationship with his fellow countryman but they’ve managed to survive their first season together.

Gasly, like many Formula 1 drivers, has a big presence outside of the sport as well, and the best example of that is Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time champion has millions of followers on every social media platform and isn’t afraid to share his opinions on a wide-ranging number of subjects.

The 27-year-old believes that the Mercedes driver is a great person to look up to when it comes to spreading a positive message.

Gasly believes Formula 1 star Hamilton is ‘very inspiring’

Speaking about his responsibilities outside of motor racing, Gasly said: “We’re all trying to push and share positive messages which is not easy because when you’re exposed the way we are, sometimes you had or have the right intention and you’re trying to do something right, but it might be perceived the other way.

“Everyone’s quite careful in that sense that you want to do something great but how is it going to be received in the public?

“So, I think the will is there. Lewis [Hamilton] is very inspiring in that sense because he’s involved in bringing the spotlight on many different topics.

“I think it’s quite good for our young generation that we understand the power, obviously he’s got the biggest community, the biggest exposure, but we get a glimpse of what’s possible.”

Hamilton has changed the way Formula 1 is viewed outside of the sport and drivers like Gasly will want to follow his lead in that regard.

Like any sportsperson, the pressure to be more than just an athlete is increasing.

Gasly is no longer a junior driver within F1 and he too has a responsibility to show other drivers how to behave on and off the grid.

However, ultimately, the most important thing is to perform on track and after a decent season with Alpine, he’ll have his sights set on achieving more than just his one Sunday podium this year.