Pierre Gasly Rues Painful Penalty Points as Utopian 2023 Season Approaches

Two races to go and two points away from a race ban. This is the situation Pierre Gasly is currently in. The Frenchman will shift loyalties to the French team Alpine from 2023 onwards. However, if he’s not careful, he might have to sit out of one race for his new team. If the situation worsens, the Frenchman will finish his time with AlphaTauri early and not race in Abu Dhabi.

Gasly got into this annoying situation after collecting ten penalty points, two more and he misses a race. How do drivers get penalty points? Drivers accrue penalty points for indiscretions over a given race weekend. These remain on their super license for 12 months. Gasly will start losing points as early as May 2023, the seventh race of the new season.

Speaking to media in Brazil about this situation, Gasly expressed his concern. “There has been a lot of discussion with the FIA, trying to find a solution because personally, I want to do all the races,” he expressed. “I want to finish the season in the best way I can with AlphaTauri, I want to do all the races in 2023 and get the maximum chances to perform for Alpine.”

“And obviously, there’s a lot at stake because no one knows what’s going to happen in 2023. I could end up with an amazing car fighting for the championship,” concluded the current AlphaTuari man, thinking about his future with Alpine.

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The Frenchman wants to end his time with AlphaTauri on a high. So a suggestion, he earns two penalty points in Brazil and start afresh at Alpine, is completely out of the window.

However, Gasly is looking at alternate options.

Pierre Gasly in talks with the governing body over his penalty points and the system

The FIA introduced the penalty points system from the 2014 season onwards. However, no driver has ever amassed 12 points to earn an automatic race ban. With Gasly edging closer to the ban, the Frenchman is appealing to the FIA to look into the penalization process.

“I’ve been discussing quite a lot with the FIA to try to find solutions because the way regulations are written at the moment, it’s quite strict on the drivers and quite harsh penalties,” he revealed.

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Would the FIA change the rules for one driver or review his infringements and deduct some points? Or will Gasly become the first driver to earn a race ban? Will it be for Alpine or as early as Abu Dhabi? All shall reveal itself in due time.