Pierre Gasly reveals the "make-or-break" season that defined his career

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Pierre Gasly described the 2013 Formula Renault 2.0 season as the most pressure he has ever felt in his life.

Describing it as a 'make-or-break' season despite it being successful for him, Gasly faced competition from rival Oliver Rowland in the championship battle - the winner of which would walk away with half a million euros, and the runner-up with nothing.

"So this was 2013, make-or-break season in Formula Renault 2.0 and to make it not stressful at all, it was half a million for the championship winner and zero for the second," the Frenchman told F1 during an appearance on Off The Grid. "I think that's the most pressure I've ever felt in my life throughout my whole career.

"It came down to the last race racing with Oliver Rowland, who I rate extremely highly. He had to win the race and absolutely sent it. Hit the back of my car, spun me around and came back to sixth and won the championship.

"I met Helmut [Marko] a month later for him to tell me I didn't win enough races, I didn't do enough pole positions, I didn't do enough fastest laps, and I thought, what am I doing here then because I'm just getting hammered.

"All of that to finish with a contract in the Red Bull Junior team. So, it was a turning point in my career. Yeah, a massive opportunity back then."

The following year, he signed with the Red Bull Junior Team as he moved to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. Racing alongside fellow Red Bull development driver Carlos Sainz, Gasly finished runner-up behind the Spaniard.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

12 years later, and Gasly is preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, his fourth with Alpine. 2026 will also mark the start of Alpine's power unit partnership with Mercedes.

"First of all, I think it’s important for me to thank all the people who worked [at Renault’s factory] in Viry-Chatillon, and who worked on the engine side," Gasly told F1.com. "There was a lot of noise, and it doesn’t really feel fully deserved for all the hardworking people who tried to deliver as much as they could.

"Now we open a new chapter with Mercedes, and obviously, looking at their CV, how many times they’ve been world champions, I’m sure it’s going to be a great adventure. I’m not going to lie, I’m very excited about it. From what I’m hearing, the engine is in a great place, so I’m looking forward to that first test and feeling what it’s like to have Merc horsepower on my back.

"I have very high expectations for us as a team next year. We made tactical sacrifices in 2025 to reward all of us by starting on the right foot from 2026 onwards. That’s what I expect from us, and that’s what I believe we can achieve, from the people we have and the work we are doing.

"Next year, I want to be fighting at the front of the grid. As it stands, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to be right up there."

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