Pierre Gasly says he wants to deliver fifth in the standings as a “Christmas gift” for AlphaTauri after pulling the team level on points with Alpine.
Gasly profited from Valtteri Bottas’ early woes to move into fourth at the start of Formula 1’s Mexico City Grand Prix and maintained that position through to the chequered flag.
That result, along with ninth for Fernando Alonso, means Alpine and AlphaTauri are level on 106 points, with Alpine ahead on countback courtesy of Esteban Ocon’s win in Hungary.
“I’m extremely happy, P4 is such a great result and we couldn’t ask for a better weekend,” said Gasly.
“Everything was under control with Charles [Leclerc] behind, I was able to pull away nicely and manage the entire race well from fourth position.
“This weekend the car has really been there, we delivered in qualifying and then again in the race and finishing ahead of Ferrari always feels good as well.
“We’re equal on points with Alpine now, it’s my personal plan to deliver fifth in the Championship to Franz [Tost] and the whole team – a nice and well-deserved Christmas gift – so we’ll keep pushing for that.
“The way we’re currently working as a team I think we’ll be able to find our chances in the next few races and we’ll fight until the end.”
Gasly was the only AlphaTauri driver to reach the finish after team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was caught up in the first-lap contretemps and was forced to retire.
“It’s such a shame, the car has been good here and, even if it wasn’t going to be easy, I think there could still have been an opportunity to score points,” said Tsunoda.
“It’s just unfortunate, the car next to me got sandwiched and then I was hit, these things happen in racing though.”
