Pierre Gasly experiences the drive of a lifetime!
When considering the successful careers of renowned Formula 1 racing drivers, it’s impossible to have a conversation without mentioning the name Ayrton Senna. Securing a legendary position in F1 history with Drivers’ Championship wins in 1988, 1990, and 1991, Ayrton was on his journey to become an unbeatable force before his tragic accident at the Imola circuit in 1994. Being an influential figure and role model in the art of racing, Ayrton Senna has shaped himself as an inspiration to modern-day drivers like Alpine BWT F1‘s frontman Pierre Gasly. Presented as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and dream come true for the 28-year-old French driver, Alpine F1 set up a private track session for Pierre Gasly to drive Ayrton Senna’s very first Formula 1 race car. While most passionate race fans are synonymous with McLaren F1’s MP4/4 when referring to Ayrton’s track weapon of choice, the Toleman TG183 stands out as the car that paved the way for the Brazilian racer.
If the opportunity itself doesn’t shock you, the sheer size of early-era race cars compared to modern-day F1 chassis gives insight into the progression of design, performance, and safety. Before setting off on England’s Silverstone Circuit sporting a Senna-inspired helmet, Pierre expresses that he’s most excited to experience the simplicity of the Toleman’s setup and its traditional h-patterned gearbox. The Toleman TG183 generates a snappy 540bhp thanks to a 1.5L turbocharged engine, which at the time shied away from any sophisticated traction control or stability systems. Speechless over the drive, describing it as “an experience I will remember for my entire life,” Gasly truly completed a childhood dream by hopping behind the wheel of his icon growing up. Shop all Alpine BWT F1 x Pierre Gasly fan gear by clicking the link below.
Source: Alpine YouTube
