Pierre Gasly Slammed as ‘Idiot’ After Crash with Yuki Tsunoda

Pierre Gasly was at the center of controversy following his early exit in the Monaco Grand Prix after a collision with Yuki Tsunoda. The incident happened on Lap 9 at the Nouvelle Chicane when Gasly lost control of his Alpine car under braking.

Unable to regain control, he ran into the back of Tsunoda’s Red Bull, causing severe damage to his front wing and forcing a retirement from the race.

Image credit: www.planetf1.com

The virtual safety car was quickly deployed, and the stewards opened a formal investigation into Gasly’s actions after the race.

The fallout was immediate, with Tsunoda calling Gasly an “idiot” over team radio in the heat of the moment. The Alpine team had to retire Gasly’s car, making him the first driver out of the Monaco Grand Prix this year.

Gasly managed to bring the damaged Alpine back to the pit lane, but his race was already over before the halfway mark. Meanwhile, Tsunoda continued but dropped to 15th place in the running order.

The crash added a dramatic twist to a Grand Prix known for its tight turns and demanding street circuit, where overtaking and avoiding contact is always a challenge for drivers. For more on the unique challenges of the Monaco circuit, check out this detailed analysis by the FIA.

As the race progressed, Lando Norris maintained his lead by Lap 14, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in pursuit and Oscar Piastri close behind in third. The early chaos shook up the field and forced teams to quickly adapt their strategies, including decisions around pit stops as detailed in the Monaco Grand Prix two-stop race strategy.

The retirement dealt a blow to Alpine, who have been struggling to gather points this season. Gasly’s exit left them with only one car in the race and little room for error as the championship battle continues.

This incident comes as the 2025 Formula 1 season heats up, with McLaren’s drivers setting the pace in the standings. Oscar Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship with 146 points, followed by teammate Lando Norris with 133 points.

Image credit: www.skysports.com

Reigning champion Max Verstappen sits third for Red Bull at 124 points, while George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton complete the top six. On the teams’ side, McLaren is on top with 279 points, ahead of Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. For the latest standings and historical data, visit Formula 1’s official site.

Monaco’s race weekend continued to deliver talking points beyond Gasly and Tsunoda’s clash. Another major story involved Oliver Bearman facing a separate investigation after the Grand Prix.

Team bosses and drivers commented throughout the day on both accidents and evolving team strategies. Jos Verstappen also made headlines by urging on Red Bull, while Charles Leclerc shared his surprise about Ferrari’s pace around the famous circuit.

With Monaco wrapped up, attention now shifts to the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix on June 1, followed by races in Canada, Austria, and the United Kingdom. Teams will be busy analyzing data and making preparations as the tight fight in both championships continues. For insights into upcoming race strategies, refer to this MIT Motorsports research paper.

For Alpine and Pierre Gasly, regrouping after the Monaco disappointment is a priority as the busy summer stretch of the season gets underway.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.