Thanks to a relentless and unforgiving season from one man, instead of at the top, we are forced to look elsewhere in the 2023 Formula 1 championship season. However, this forced look toward the rest of the field and battles all across the grid might be a blessing in disguise. This forced outlook is making us look at other drivers in a new light and this is exactly why we would like to highlight the performance of Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman has been one of the most underrated drivers on the grid and his performance in the 2023 season is giving the incredible run from Alex Albon a run for its money.
Alex Albon has arguably one of the biggest surprises of the season with his incredible runs in the majority of the races. The Thai driver put his Williams in the top 10 on seven separate occasions with him securing his best finish in Canada and repeating the feat in Italy. We don’t even need to discuss the head-to-head against his rookie teammate because of its one-sided nature.
However, that wasn’t the case with Gasly. The Frenchman joined Alpine this year and has proved his mettle against his first rival and teammate. As pointed out on Reddit by a fan, with two races left to go Gasly has beaten his teammate Esteban Ocon in the qualifying head-to-head with 12-8. Gasly has got the beating of his teammate in terms of points as well with a 62-46 score in his favor.
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However, since the Belgian GP, Gasly is a changed man. Since Spa, Gasly has out-qualified Ocon on 10 occasions compared to the latter’s three. In terms of points, Gasly has secured 46 points in the last nine races compared to Ocon’s 15 points. In fact, Gasly since Spa Gasly has secured six top-seven finishes compared to Ocon’s three in the entire season.
Since his criticism of missing out on golden opportunities, the Frenchman has pulled up his socks and delivered. This is exactly what is making the fans back him instead of Alex Albon as the most underrated driver of the season.
Fans heat up the dark horse of the season debate between Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly with stats coming to light
Albon has been the talk of the F1 town on many occasions, especially during his Canadian GP. The Thai driver is extracting pace from the Williams car we did not even know it possessed.
However, after the Belgian GP, it is difficult to ignore Gasly’s season and this is exactly what the debate is about in the comments on the Reddit post.
“I’ll say Gasly too, Albon season hasn’t gone undercover and has been discussed very frequently to call him underrated.”
“Gasly has proven that he’s at minimum on even ground with Ocon, and all things equal maybe he’s the better driver. “
“Very much agree on Gasly”
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“Albon and Gasly for me. Both pretty solid every week, considering their current machinery situation.”
“None, but if I have to say one, I’d say Albon.”
“Gasly is a good shout. I honestly thought he wouldn’t match Ocon, how wrong I was”
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Some say Gasly and some say Albon. Who according to you has been the surprise of the season?