The race weekend at Interlagos got off to a turbulent start for Pierre Gasly. Rather than enjoying a peaceful morning of preparation, the Alpine driver was jolted awake at 06:00 AM by anti-doping officials conducting a random check.
Under the strict regulations set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and enforced by the FIA, Formula 1 drivers must be available for testing at any time, including during Grand Prix weekends. Gasly, visibly frustrated by the timing, did not mince his words when speaking to the press. "You just made my day. I got woken up at 06:00 for a doping test this morning, so I'm not in the best mood," he told reporters at the track.
Despite the disrupted sleep, Gasly remains optimistic about his prospects in Sao Paulo. The circuit holds special significance for him, having secured his first F1 podium there in 2019 and another in the rain in 2024. With rain forecasted for Sunday, the Frenchman is eager to replicate his past successes in challenging conditions.
Beyond the doping saga, Gasly addressed the costly penalty he received in Mexico City. The Alpine driver was stripped of points after receiving a 30-second time penalty for failing to slow sufficiently under double-yellow flags—an incident triggered by a clash between Oscar Piastri and Arvid Lindblad.
Gasly accepted full responsibility for the infraction. "Ultimately, I didn't slow down enough, so I take full responsibility for the penalty. I've always pushed myself to be strict on yellow flags because it is safety-related. This is a good example of what is not tolerated in a race condition, and I just expect the same for any other driver going forward," he added, showing a commitment to the integrity of race safety.
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