Gasly Leads Charity Match Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco, May 2023 – Pierre Gasly, Alpine driver and co-owner of FC Versailles, captained a team of Formula 1 drivers in the annual Nationale Piloti charity football match on the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix.
The match, held at Stade Louis II, featured notable participants including Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, and Mika Hakkinen. The players competed not only for bragging rights but also to support local charities, including Be Safe, a campaign focused on combating drink-driving, and the Jules Bianchi Association.
"I love football and the feeling of playing," Gasly remarked, reflecting on his childhood ambitions to become a professional player. "This event reminded me of my dreams before I turned to motorsports."
Gasly acknowledged the unique camaraderie that developed among competitors during the match, stating, “It’s incredible to live this moment… sharing a moment with rivals and working together for a good cause is quite a unique feeling.”
Sainz showcased his skills with an assist, while Gasly humorously noted that his compatriot Isack Hadjar was more spirited than skilled on the pitch. "He runs hard, which is great for the team," Gasly said, adding a light-hearted jab about Hadjar’s abilities.
When discussing football legends, Gasly hesitated to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but named Zinedine Zidane as his childhood idol. "Zizou was my icon; I looked up to him since I was a kid," he stated. “If F1 hadn’t been part of my life, I would have pursued a career in football.”
As the F1 world gears up for the Monaco Grand Prix, the charity match stands as a highlight, blending competitive spirit and philanthropy in the heart of motorsport’s glamorous setting.
