GASLY GETS ON THE GAS DURING INFINITI RED BULL RACING TEST SESSION

May 15, 2015 by Infiniti

MONTMELO, Spain – Amid the plethora of driving stats Formula One loves to wallow in, the numbers concerning driver test days aren't ones that regularly get trotted out. But drill down into the figures for Infiniti Red Bull Racing test outings, and it's abundantly clear just how keen the team is on bringing through the next generation of racing talent, particularly for drivers climbing the racing ladder as part of the Red Bull Junior Team.

To mention just one, five years ago, the team gave a raw young racer his first taste of F1 machinery at a winter test in Jerez. That skinny kid, fresh from winning the British F3 championship, clocked a final day time of 1:17.418 to eclipse McLaren's vastly more experienced tester Gary Paffett by 1.3s. The outstanding performance set F1 tongues wagging, and Daniel Ricciardo was suddenly very much on the fast track to F1 glory.

This, another highly rated product of the Red Bull Junior Team got his big chance. Having made his test debut earlier this week with Infiniti Red Bull Racing's sister outfit, Toro Rosso, Pierre Gasly climbed into the cockpit of the RB11 to show what he can do at the wheel.

It was a productive day testing. Pierre got 75 laps on the board with a fastest time of 1:26.683 to complete the testing program for the week and the team's week-long stay in Barcelona. Fastest for the day was Jolyon Palmer and Lotus with a 1:26.080.

Pierre Gasly's Background

Born in the French city of Rouen, 19-year-old Gasly began in the traditional manner, at the wheel of a go-kart.

'My grandfather did some go-kart races, then my father followed his lead and did a bit of karting, rally and some endurance races as well,' said Gasly. 'I have four brothers; three of them did also some kart races, so I think there is something in our genes. I had my first test in karting at age six. After that though nothing for three years because I had to understand that I had to work hard as the priority, and then I started competition at age nine.'

Since switching to single-seaters, he has enjoyed a swift rise though the racing ranks over the last few seasons. He first rose to prominence by winning the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Championship in 2013. That success earned him a move up to the Formula Renault World Series 3.5 category last year, and he belied his rookie status by finishing runner-up in the championship, claiming eight podium finishes in his first campaign and pushing eventual champion Carlos Sainz all the way.

Gasly also contested the final six races (three rounds) of the 2014 GP2 Championship for Caterham, and this year is undertaking a full campaign in the F1 feeder series for DAMS.

'They were the team I wanted to be with, and as soon as I tested with them in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year, it really boosted my confidence,' said Gasly earlier this year. 'We hit it off straight away. I felt at home so I was on the pace from day one.'

He's already making his mark. After a tricky opening weekend, he scored his first podium finish in the Sprint Race of last weekend's second round in Spain. After reaching that landmark at the weekend, this weekend's test marks another waypoint on road to the top level for Gasly.

'My goal is very clear in my mind: If I work hard all days, it's to become world champion in F1 one day,' said Gasly. 'I drive every time only to win and to be the best. This is the way to find the motivation and determination.'

Photo credit: Infiniti
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