Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Motorsport

Gasly wants to be a "pain" for Norris, Verstappen from P4 on the grid

Pierre Gasly Lando Norris Max Verstappen Bahrain Alpine

Pierre Gasly was surprised by his strong qualifying performance in Bahrain, which will see him start tomorrow’s race on the third row of the grid. The Alpine driver was just 0.3s off the pace, finishing fifth ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen respectively.

“If we can be a pain for these top teams once in a while that’d be great,” Gasly joked when speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the session.

“The conditions played well for us and it just shows we've got some good potential,” he continued. “I think the window is very narrow and we’ve got some fast guys behind us. Lando and Max can have a little go at each other in the first few laps and leave me out of it – I’m not going to be against that.”

The Frenchman revealed that the team wasn’t expecting to be fighting so far up the grid until his “mental” Q3 lap. “Before qualifying we thought we’d be in the fight for P10 or P9 at best, but you always give it your best shot and I really managed to improve from Q1 to Q3,” he explained. “Three tenths off pole is quite mental, it was a very good day for us as a team… now we need those first points.”

Pierre Gasly, Alpine (Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images)

Gasly reflected on the Enstone-based outfit’s struggles this time last year, noting he’s “very happy” with how the car is feeling.

“12 months ago, we were absolutely nowhere, we were P20 and struggling, so when I see what I could do today with the car, it just makes me very happy and very proud of what the guys have done so far,” he said. “The car was really impressive, the front grip was very strong... those last few runs we really managed to nail it and it was so special.”

Looking ahead to the race, Gasly said he’ll “fight with what [he] has.” He added: “Today’s package was good enough to get us to P5 and we'll try to hold on to it as much as we can.” The Alpine driver will eventually start from fourth following Andrea Kimi Antonelli's penalty.

Photos from Bahrain GP - Practice & Qualifying

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Fans

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Cockpit cooling in the Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Jodie Kidd

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team crash

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team crash car

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Zak Brown, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Saturday

Formula 1

76

In this article

Emily Selleck

Formula 1

Pierre Gasly

Alpine

Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Trump DoJ says not legally bound to return man wrongly deported to El Salvador

Trump DoJ says not legally bound to return man wrongly deported to El Salvador

Lawyers argue that return of Kilmar Abrego García to US is ‘foreign relations’ and outside of scope of courts

The Guardian - US

More than 70 arrested during Athens riots after Molotov cocktails thrown at police

More than 70 arrested during Athens riots after Molotov cocktails thrown at police

Several cars and motorcycles were set on fire outside a police station as tempers flared in Exarchia

The Independent UK

NYC Helicopter That Crashed Into Hudson River Did Not Have a Flight Recorder To Help Determine Why It Broke Down

NYC Helicopter That Crashed Into Hudson River Did Not Have a Flight Recorder To Help Determine Why It Broke Down

The National Transportation Safety Board said the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last Thursday was not equipped with flight recorders

State Department Finally Shares Status of Man Erroneously Deported to El Salvador, Shows No Willingness to Return Him to U.S.

State Department Finally Shares Status of Man Erroneously Deported to El Salvador, Shows No Willingness to Return Him to U.S.

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, is alive and currently being held at the CECOT mega-prison

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Barbara Lee forged a historic path in Congress. Does Oakland want her back for mayor?

Barbara Lee forged a historic path in Congress. Does Oakland want her back for mayor?

The progressive icon, 78, may be the frontrunner, but a more moderate contender may represent much-needed change

The Guardian - US

Georgetown alumni and students call for release of scholar detained by immigration authorities

Georgetown alumni and students call for release of scholar detained by immigration authorities

Letter says Trump administration’s detention of Khan Suri ‘represents a fundamental violation of academic freedom’

The Guardian - US

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Trump DoJ says not legally bound to return man wrongly deported to El Salvador

Trump DoJ says not legally bound to return man wrongly deported to El Salvador

Lawyers argue that return of Kilmar Abrego García to US is ‘foreign relations’ and outside of scope of courts

The Guardian - US

More than 70 arrested during Athens riots after Molotov cocktails thrown at police

More than 70 arrested during Athens riots after Molotov cocktails thrown at police

Several cars and motorcycles were set on fire outside a police station as tempers flared in Exarchia

The Independent UK

NYC Helicopter That Crashed Into Hudson River Did Not Have a Flight Recorder To Help Determine Why It Broke Down

NYC Helicopter That Crashed Into Hudson River Did Not Have a Flight Recorder To Help Determine Why It Broke Down

The National Transportation Safety Board said the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last Thursday was not equipped with flight recorders

State Department Finally Shares Status of Man Erroneously Deported to El Salvador, Shows No Willingness to Return Him to U.S.

State Department Finally Shares Status of Man Erroneously Deported to El Salvador, Shows No Willingness to Return Him to U.S.

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, is alive and currently being held at the CECOT mega-prison

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Barbara Lee forged a historic path in Congress. Does Oakland want her back for mayor?

Barbara Lee forged a historic path in Congress. Does Oakland want her back for mayor?

The progressive icon, 78, may be the frontrunner, but a more moderate contender may represent much-needed change

The Guardian - US

Georgetown alumni and students call for release of scholar detained by immigration authorities

Georgetown alumni and students call for release of scholar detained by immigration authorities

Letter says Trump administration’s detention of Khan Suri ‘represents a fundamental violation of academic freedom’

The Guardian - US

Our Picks

I’m a comedian – this is why Saturday Night Live’s jokes about Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth didn’t work

There’s funny, there’s mean, and there’s mean and funny. But unfunny and mean will always die a death, says writer and comedian Athena Kugblenu

The Guardian - UK

What to know about fluoride, the substance at the heart of SNL’s ‘unfunny’ skit

Fluoride has hit the headlines again after a “mean” SNL skit

The Independent UK

WATCH: Katy Perry's Blue Origin Shuttle Parachutes Safely Back to Earth After Quick Space Trip

Katy Perry is back on Earth after spending under 20 minutes in space.

International Business Times

The White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood wins apology over 'mean' Saturday Night Live sketch

'The White Lotus' star Aimee Lou Wood has won an apology from 'Saturday Night Live' after she expressed her disapproval of a "mean" sketch which featured comedian Sarah Sherman sporting oversized prosthetic teeth to mimic the British actress.

How John Cena, WWE’s greatest hero, became wrestling’s most complex villain

WRESTLEMANIA PREVIEW: After two decades as an on-screen ‘babyface’, Cena has finally turned ‘heel’. Yet the timing, in his final year as a WWE performer, is strange. Greg Evans discusses what it means for Cena’s last-ever WrestleMania match...

The Independent UK

Wait, is Coachella cool again? The best festival style from Charli XCX, Lady Gaga and Troye Sivan

Has Coachella, once homeland of naff LA influencers, finally turned the tide? Maybe, says Joe Bromley

Evening Standard

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play