Pierre Gasly Demands AlphaTauri Resolve Persistent Braking Issues After US Grand Prix Qualifying Disappointment
Austin, Texas – AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly has voiced strong frustration over recurring braking problems, which he attributes to his elimination during the second qualifying session (Q2) for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Frenchman, known for his aggressive driving style and ability to extract performance, found himself battling not just rivals but also his own machinery, leading to a visibly angry exit from Saturday’s proceedings.
The crucial moment arrived during Gasly’s first flying lap attempt in Q2. As he approached the demanding Turn 1, a sharp left-hand hairpin following a long straight, his car suffered a severe lock-up under heavy braking. This critical error rendered his lap invalid and forced him to abort the attempt. The incident immediately prompted a terse exchange between Gasly and his AlphaTauri race engineer over the team radio, highlighting the palpable tension and disappointment in the cockpit. Ultimately, Gasly qualified in a disheartening 13th position, a result he felt was far below the car’s potential and his own capabilities.
Speaking to media outlets, including RaceFans, following the qualifying session, Gasly articulated the extent of his frustration. His comments underlined a worrying pattern, as he revealed this was the third occasion during the 2022 Formula 1 season that he had experienced the exact same braking malfunction during a pivotal qualifying session. The repetition of such a critical technical flaw deeply impacted his ability to perform and robbed him of crucial track time and confidence when it mattered most.
“Again, the same problem,” Gasly exclaimed over the radio, his voice laced with disbelief and anger. “For goodness sake. Why do we keep having this issue? Turn 1, Turn 11 – it’s the exact same problem.” His pointed remarks during the session revealed a deep-seated concern that has clearly been festering within the team.
Gasly elaborated on the nature of the fault, explaining, “So we glazed the front brakes – identical to what happened in Japan and also in Canada. This is clearly not ideal, especially for it to happen for the second consecutive race weekend; it’s something that absolutely should not occur. I’m just profoundly disappointed because I felt genuinely good with the car all weekend, and I truly believed we had the potential to comfortably secure a spot in the top 10. However, under these conditions, it’s simply impossible. You get front locking into every corner, and you just can’t decelerate effectively anywhere. We absolutely must get to the bottom of this and resolve it.”
The concept of “glazed brakes” refers to a condition where the surface of the brake pads and discs becomes extremely hard and smooth, often due to excessive heat or improper bedding-in procedures. This glazing significantly reduces the friction coefficient between the pad and disc, leading to a substantial loss in braking power, increased pedal travel, and a much higher propensity for wheel lock-ups. For an F1 driver, whose performance hinges on precise control under extreme deceleration, glazed brakes are a catastrophic issue that cripples confidence and lap times.
The recurrence of this specific problem left Gasly baffled, particularly given the varying characteristics of the tracks where it has manifested. He highlighted that McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo had also encountered braking difficulties during the earlier third practice session at COTA, suggesting that the circuit’s unique demands might exacerbate such issues for some teams. However, Gasly’s concern stemmed from the repeated nature of the fault for his own car.
“It has now happened three times with a brand-new set of brakes,” Gasly clarified, emphasizing the newness of the components. He went on to detail the previous occurrences: “Canada was in wet conditions, which inherently means you can’t apply a tremendous amount of brake energy into the system. Suzuka, too, is somewhat of a low-energy track for the brakes in certain sections. Here at COTA, though, it’s certainly not a low-energy circuit for the brakes; in fact, it’s quite demanding in several zones, so I’m really not entirely sure why it’s recurring now.”
The contrast between the circuits adds another layer of complexity to AlphaTauri’s dilemma. While wet conditions in Canada might have explained a lack of brake temperature and subsequent glazing, and Suzuka’s high-speed corners are less punishing on brakes than typical heavy braking zones, COTA presents a different challenge. With its combination of high-speed sections and heavy braking zones like Turn 1 and Turn 11, the circuit demands robust and consistent brake performance. For the same glazing issue to appear here, it points towards a fundamental problem rather than a track-specific anomaly.
Gasly reiterated the costly impact of these recurring failures. “After speaking with Daniel [Ricciardo], he experienced a similar issue in FP3. But on our side, it’s clearly something we absolutely need to get on top of. It cost us dearly in Suzuka, and it has cost us again this weekend. In a season where we desperately need to capitalize on every single opportunity we get, these kinds of problems simply shouldn’t be happening.”
The 2022 season has been a challenging one for AlphaTauri, with the team struggling to consistently score points and maintain pace with their midfield rivals. Every point-scoring opportunity is therefore critical, making these technical failures all the more frustrating for a driver of Gasly’s caliber, especially as he prepares for his move to Alpine in 2023. Ending his tenure with AlphaTauri on a high note is undoubtedly a strong motivator, and these setbacks are hindering that objective.
In an effort to finally put an end to this exasperating sequence of events, Gasly confirmed that the AlphaTauri team would initiate a thorough consultation with their brake supplier, Carbone Industrie (CI). The objective is to conduct a detailed investigation to understand the root cause of the repeating problems that have plagued his car for two consecutive race weekends and throughout the season.
“We work incredibly hard to extract every hundredth of a second out of the car,” Gasly emphasized, highlighting the immense effort from everyone involved. “Everyone at the track, every single person at the factory, and myself – we all pour so much work and dedication into this. And then, when it’s time to deliver, you encounter an external problem that just completely screws us over. It can happen once, you can accept that as part of racing. But when it’s the second time in a row, and the third time this season, it simply should not be happening at this level of motorsport. So, it’s definitely something we need to thoroughly check with CI, and it’s something we absolutely have to fix without delay.”
The partnership between an F1 team and its component suppliers is critical. High-performance braking systems are bespoke and incredibly complex, designed to operate at the very limits of physics. Any inconsistency or failure can have significant consequences, not just for performance but also for driver safety. AlphaTauri’s urgency in addressing this with Carbone Industrie reflects the severity of the issue and the imperative to restore reliability and driver confidence.
Ultimately, Gasly’s Q2 exit at COTA served as a stark reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1 and the critical importance of absolute reliability. While the team possesses the talent and determination, technical glitches of this nature are proving to be significant roadblocks to their progress. The onus is now on AlphaTauri and Carbone Industrie to diagnose and implement a lasting solution to these persistent braking issues, ensuring that Gasly and his teammate can maximize their potential in the remaining races of the 2022 season without being undermined by critical component failures.
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