Gasly left gutted after last-lap position drop to Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix

Pierre Gasly is deeply disappointed after being overtaken by four-time world champion Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix. While the loss stings now, he believes he'll be able to see it in a more positive light with time.

The Frenchman started the Grand Prix from fourth place, benefiting from a grid penalty handed to Kimi Antonelli. Throughout the race, he found himself locked in a tense battle with former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. Lap after lap, he successfully held off the Dutchman’s advances, but heartbreak came just before the checkered flag when Verstappen managed to snatch sixth place from him.

"Crossing the line was a mixed feeling," reflected Gasly after the race with the media present, including GPblog. "I absolutely hate losing a position in the last lap, especially after having to work so hard over the last 20 laps trying to keep Max at bay."

Alpine had a strong weekend in Bahrain

The Frenchman continued: "So yeah, it's always frustrating but I think on the other side once the adrenaline is going to come down a bit, you know, looking back last week we were not even fighting for the top 10 and Max was winning the race."

After all, Gasly picked up Alpine's first points of the season in Bahrain and will head into next weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix thinking positively.

"So it just shows how much of a good weekend we've had as a team. The car was competitive, the quality was amazing, the race was great, good strategy, good pit stops. Even with that unlucky timing with the safety car, we lost the position to Lewis. In the end, still a lot of positives to take," the Frenchman concluded in the paddock.

This article was written in collaboration with Kim Hoefnagel

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