Gasly: I knew crossing the line it was a good lap

In Vegas Qualifying today, Pierre Gasly secured an impressive P3 with a best lap time of 1:32.664s, while his Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon narrowly missed out on Q3, and will start P11.

Gasly was beaming from ear to ear after clinching a spot on the second row. Speaking in Parc Fermé immediately after, he described the adrenaline-filled session: "It's unbelievable. We didn't think we would achieve a top three in qualifying.

"But it was an incredible lap, especially around this track where you are flirting with the walls everywhere. A lot of adrenaline and excitement. I knew crossing the line it was a good lap. When they came up on the radio, we were third - it’s just amazing," gushed the Frenchman.

Reflecting on his performance later in the team report, Gasly emphasized the challenges posed by the Las Vegas circuit in chilly and slippery conditions: "This track is all about fine margins and it’s tricky with the low downforce and a lot of sliding, but I just had a lot of fun out there.

"We had one set of new Softs for Q3, so it was kind of a last-lap shot. I’m just pleased we put it together. The race will be tough with tyre degradation and graining, but we’ve worked hard to understand it. Our target is to take some points," declared Gasly who finished P3 in Brazil last time out.

While Ocon narrowly missed the top ten in Qualifying, his P11 starting position offers Alpine strategic flexibility. He reported: "Firstly, congratulations to Pierre and the team on the great result. I am very happy with my lap, though it’s a pity we missed Q3 by just a tenth.

"Starting in P11 gives us a chance to fight for points. We struggled a bit with traction and grip today, but we’ll give it everything tomorrow. Keeping the tyres alive will be key, and we’re confident we can move forward as we did last year from further back," added the Frenchman.

Alpine Team Principal Ollie Oakes commended the drivers and the team’s efforts: "From the get-go this weekend, we’ve looked competitive, especially in these cooler conditions. Pierre did a perfect job to secure the second row, putting us in a strong position for the race.

"Esteban just missed Q3, but starting P11 gives us an opportunity to get both cars in the points. With the tricky conditions expected tomorrow, we’ll focus on tyre management and strategy to maximize our result," said Oakes

The second edition of the modern-era Las Vegas Grand Prix promises a tough race with low temperatures expected to impact tyre performance, as seen in previous years. Both Gasly and Ocon, aiming to capitalize on strategic opportunities to secure vital points in the championship.

With momentum from their recent double podium in Brazil, the Alpine F1 Team enters Sunday’s race with high hopes of another strong result after their '$30-million performance' in Sao Paulo