Nobody was happier after Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix than Pierre Gasly after the Toro Rosso driver scored a stunning fourth place finish.
Having been largely anonymous in his first seven races, the last GP2 champion finally showed his potential in a perfect weekend in the desert, claiming best midfield runner in qualifying and maintaining it in the race moving up after the demise of Daniel Ricciardo.
His P4 wasn’t just his first points in Formula 1, it also marked Honda’s best finish since returning as an engine supplier in 2015, finishing one place higher than they did at any point with McLaren in the past three seasons.
“It’s unbelievable, sixth in qualifying and fourth in the race. We never expected something like this. I’m super happy, struggling to realise,” he said ecstatically.
“Big thanks to the team because the car was fantastic all weekend and today there was an opportunity and we had the car to take this.”
What was more impressive is how Gasly was comfortably the best midfield car, claiming fourth by 13 seconds from Kevin Magnussen.
After the disappointment of Australia two weeks prior, it was a performance that even the team is struggling to understand.
“Definitely we made a step this weekend, I don’t know if we will be as fast in other races,” the 22-year-old added.
“For now we just need to enjoy as it’s a great day for the team and for Honda and myself.”
Some are now suggesting this result has catapulted the Frenchman to the head of the queue as potential replacements for Ricciardo if he leaves Red Bull and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has certainly taken note.
“That made a man out of him,” the Austrian told Autosport. “His reward is the fourth place. All our drivers have a very good bonus system. This will more than please him.
“I didn’t expect a fourth place that early – but it’s a positive development. It was the target to challenge the midfield with this engine. Not here, but in the first half of the season.”
