Pierre Gasly Fulfills Dream Playing Football at Monaco GP Charity

Pierre Gasly lived out a long-held dream ahead of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, swapping his Alpine Formula 1 car for a football kit and the captain’s armband in the traditional Nationale Piloti charity match. The event took place at Stade Louis II in Monaco, just before the start of the Grand Prix weekend.

Gasly, a co-owner of FC Versailles in France’s Championnat National, was selected to lead his team, which included several well-known F1 drivers and other athletes. The squad featured race stars like Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Oliver Bearman, and Isack Hadjar.

Home favorite Charles Leclerc and two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen helped kick off proceedings.

While the football on display ranged from enthusiastic to occasionally uncoordinated, the match was played with heart and a sense of fun.

The event also raised money for the Be Safe campaign and the Jules Bianchi Association. Gasly spoke afterwards about how special the occasion was for him.

He shared that football was his main obsession as a youngster and called the chance to play at an iconic venue such as Stade Louis II a special reminder of his childhood dreams. The Alpine racer said he used to imagine himself becoming a professional footballer until motorsport captured his focus.

He still cherishes the sport and said that, if not for go-karts, he probably would have gone after a football career.

During the match, teammates and rivals alike found themselves supporting each other on the pitch rather than racing against each other on track.

Gasly described the feeling as unique and enjoyable, noting that it brought the drivers together in friendly competition and for a good cause. He enjoyed discussing tactics with Isack Hadjar and defending alongside Carlos Sainz, showing how these top drivers bond in different sporting settings.

Carlos Sainz added flair by notching an assist during the game, while Leclerc reflected on his own admiration for French legend Zinedine Zidane, listing him among his sporting icons. Gasly agreed, saying Zidane was a favorite as a kid, though he admitted to never settling the ‘greatest of all time’ debate between Zidane, Messi, and Ronaldo.

After the match, Gasly joked about Hadjar’s playing style, stating that while Hadjar’s effort and attitude were strong, his football skills might be better suited for management than the field. Still, Gasly praised the energy and team spirit that all the drivers brought to the pitch, matching their commitment on race weekends.

Each year, the charity match acts as an unofficial warm-up to the Monaco Grand Prix, and 2025 was no different. The event remains a much anticipated fixture, drawing fans, celebrities, and drivers together.

For Gasly, it was a perfect way to step away from the rigors of racing and relive a childhood dream in front of thousands, similar to how previous racing events like the McLaren Indy 500 have blended different sporting passions.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.