Alpine F1 Team’s Pierre Gasly Faces Terrifying Pit Stop Error at Chinese Grand Prix: Mechanic Hit by Loose Wheel, Team Fined €10,000

The recent Chinese Grand Prix saw Alpine F1 Team’s Pierre Gasly facing a heart-stopping moment during a pit stop error that led to a loose wheel hitting one of the mechanics. Gasly, who was mistakenly signaled to exit the pit with his right-rear wheel improperly attached, recounted the frightening experience to the media post-race.

Gasly described the incident as “quite scary,” noting that the green light signal quickly turned red as he dropped the clutch. Reacting swiftly, Gasly saw the loose wheel through his mirrors and expressed relief that the mechanic involved was unharmed.

The incident prompted the stewards to impose a €10,000 fine on Alpine for a breach of safety protocols. Gasly acknowledged the team’s need to address pit stop inefficiencies and improve for future races.

Despite the setback, Gasly managed to finish the race in 13th place, while his teammate Esteban Ocon narrowly missed out on scoring points in 11th place with an upgraded chassis. Gasly highlighted the benefits of the new chassis, which offers increased downforce and a lighter weight, giving Alpine a competitive edge.

Looking ahead to the Miami Grand Prix and beyond, Gasly is eager to utilize the upgraded machinery and continue pushing for performance improvements. With a focus on enhancing their competitiveness, Gasly and the Alpine F1 Team remain determined to achieve better results in the upcoming races.