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Verstappen and Gasly share one interest: 'Portuguese-speaking girlfriends'
- Sandy van Wijngaarden
When Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon were asked about what they would say to the fans in Brazil, a funny situation arose. After all, both Verstappen and Gasly have a Portuguese-speaking girlfriend. They joked about taking some Portuguese lessons together.
Max Verstappen won the Brazilian Grand Prix from P17. The Dutchman therefore had this message for the circuit: "I would say thank you very much. You served me well."
Verstappen and Gasly can take Portuguese lessons together
"Muito obrigado," Pierre Gasly added. "We have to take those lessons together. His girlfriend is Portuguese," Verstappen said next. "We have a shared interest in Portuguese lessons," Gasly replied, laughing.
In fact, Max Verstappen has been in a relationship with Brazilian Kelly Piquet for more than four years. Pierre Gasly has been dating Kika Cerqueira Gomes from Portugal for some time. So both men have Portuguese-speaking girlfriends.
On a more serious note, Esteban Ocon expressed his appreciation for the fans in Brazil. "The support we receive here is incredible. I mean, this morning I was turning up to the track at around 5 o'clock in the morning, and people were waiting and queuing in front of the circuit."
"I couldn't believe my eyes that people are so passionate about it, about F1, about motorsport. And since my early days, people have called me Oconzinho, which is quite funny, I feel. But yeah, it's just incredible from the day we arrive to the day we leave. I would really like to spend more time in Brazil, visit various places. The Interlagos atmosphere in general never disappoints. It's just incredible," the French Alpine driver said.
Gasly also wanted to express his appreciation of the fans at Interlagos. "Just look at the crowd. Honestly, it's such an iconic racetrack. This year was also very special with the legacy Ayrton left and with the 30 years, so it was, as Esteban said, I think this morning at 5 AM, when my eyes were quite closed because I was still a bit sleepy, once I saw everyone queuing, and I was like, wow, that was very impressive."
"The energy you get from these moments makes you very grateful. And to be able to live these moments, it's just a memorable moment that will, for sure, keep with us forever," Gasly concluded.
This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton