Pierre Gasly jokes about 'underwear change every lap' after extreme wet F1 test

Pierre Gasly has humorously revealed that driving Alpine's 2026 F1 car in wet conditions for the first time was so extreme he felt he needed an "underwear change every lap." The French driver's comments come as a wet Miami Grand Prix looms, presenting the first potential competitive test for the new-generation cars in heavy rain.

Why it matters:

With a high probability of rain for the Miami GP, drivers face the unknown challenge of racing the new 2026-spec cars in truly wet conditions for the first time. Gasly's extreme test experience provides a rare insight into just how difficult managing these cars in low-grip situations could be, highlighting a significant variable that could turn the race into a lottery.

The details:

• Gasly described a pre-season filming day at Silverstone in mid-January as the "most extreme" wet conditions he has ever driven in.
• He reported experiencing wheelspin in sixth gear through the high-speed Maggots and Becketts complex despite having very low tire temperatures of around 30 degrees.
• The driver stated the experience left him feeling "pretty prepared for any condition," acknowledging it would still be very challenging.
• Gasly pointed out that a wet race, while tricky, could also present "some good opportunities" for drivers who can adapt and avoid the inherent traps on the Miami circuit.

What's next:

All eyes are on the Miami weather forecast. If the predicted thunderstorms arrive, Sunday's race will become a massive test of driver skill and team strategy in unprecedented conditions. Gasly's confidence, forged in an extreme private test, suggests he may be one to watch if the skies open, though every driver will be stepping into the relative unknown.