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Pierre Gasly’s shocking F1 snub after GP2 glory: a heart-wrenching ‘slap in the face’

James Taylor by James Taylor
January 10, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Pierre Gasly’s shocking F1 snub after GP2 glory: a heart-wrenching ‘slap in the face’

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 28, 2025 Alpine's Pierre Gasly REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Pierre Gasly’s Heart-Wrenching Revelation: The Stinging ‘Slap in the Face’ of F1’s Brutal Reality

In a shocking confession that has sent ripples through the motorsport community, Pierre Gasly has laid bare the bitter disappointment he faced after clinching the GP2 title—an achievement he believed would catapult him straight into the glamorous world of Formula 1. Instead, he was met with a crushing reality that felt like a “slap in the face.”

Gasly, who triumphed in the fiercely competitive GP2 series with PREMA Powerteam, expected that his championship victory would secure him a coveted full-time seat in F1. But fate had other plans. Instead of celebrating a promotion, Gasly found himself relegated to the role of a reserve driver for the 2017 season—a move that left him in disbelief. “It was so hard to take. I was told, ‘If you win the GP2 championship, you are going to get a shot in Formula 1,’” Gasly recounted, his voice tinged with the frustration of dashed hopes. “It was like a slap in my face. I thought, ‘OK, what do I need to do more?’ I kept the mentality that I would get my shot.”

The path to F1 is often littered with obstacles, and Gasly’s journey was no exception. Despite his stellar performance in GP2, he found himself serving as a reserve driver for Toro Rosso, all while competing in the demanding Super Formula series. However, destiny would soon knock on his door. During the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, Gasly received an electrifying call from Helmut Marko, urging him to prepare for his long-awaited debut. “I remember I was jumping on my bed in Malaysia,” he exclaimed, recalling the moment that turned his fortunes around.

Finally taking the wheel at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix, Gasly’s excitement was palpable. “When I got the shot, I was the happiest,” he said, reflecting on the thrill of being in control of his career for the first time. Although he managed to secure a respectable 12th place finish in those final five races, the breakthrough he longed for had finally arrived.

Gasly’s ascent didn’t stop there. The following year, he was promoted to Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso, where he quickly made waves by finishing P4 in Bahrain during just his second race. This performance ignited a frenzy of speculation, positioning him as the next big star in Red Bull’s lineup. “It created straight away massive hype,” Gasly noted, aware of the expectations now resting on his shoulders.

But the drama didn’t end there. Following Daniel Ricciardo’s unexpected departure from Red Bull, the stakes rose even higher. Gasly found himself in a high-stakes battle for the coveted seat, pitted against Carlos Sainz. “Right after Budapest, Daniel announced he was leaving [Red Bull]. I remember arriving in Greece for my holiday, and it was like, ‘Whoa, Daniel is going,’” he recalled. The tension culminated in a life-changing phone call from Helmut Marko, confirming Gasly’s promotion to Red Bull Racing for the 2019 season—a mere six months into his first full year in F1.

Pierre Gasly’s journey from champion in GP2 to a tumultuous ride through Formula 1 is a powerful testament to resilience in the face of adversity. With every twist and turn, he has proven that the road to success in motorsport is anything but straightforward, filled with unexpected challenges and hard-earned victories. This gripping narrative underscores the relentless pursuit of dreams against all odds, and as Gasly continues to carve his path in the racing world, fans can only watch in awe and anticipation.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2017-malaysian-grand-prix2025-gp2-seriesoracle-red-bull-racingPierre Gaslyprema-powerteamscuderia-toro-rosso
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