"I was relieved when I saw him walking out of that crash [during the 2020 Italian Grand Prix]. Charles is part of the family. We've known him since he was nine and he started karting with Pierre.
They did their first cup together in Magny-Cours, and then they met each other again in Menton competing at a race organized by Hervé Leclerc and Philippe Bianchi, on a track near the beach. It was during that time that I really started bonding with the Leclerc family. I still remember Herve bringing some chocolate to Pierre after the podium because he had finished second. My child was so happy about it.
Charles is a year younger. They raced together on Sodikart for a year: Anthoine, Esteban, Charles and Pierre were always on the same track, competing together, so of course we-- the parents-- were always together as well. When the races were in England, Charles was sleeping at our place. When the races were in Italy, Pierre was sleeping at Charles's place. Then Pierre moved to F4.
I don't think there has ever been a big rivalry between them, even though their careers were similar.
Charles is probably even more part of the family since Hervé passed away. Our door will always be open to him and he knows it. I cried so much when he won his first F1 race in Spa, even though the conditions were difficult after the death of Anthoine…. I liked Charles's gesture for him [Anthoine] that day. I've told myself that two stars were watching after him in the sky. And then a week later, he made us dream again when he won in Monza in-front of thousands of Tifosi.
So you know, seeing his crash in 2020 broke my heart."
Source: "Gasly, le magnifique: L'historique victoire de Monza vécue et racontée par les proches de Pierre Gasly" Format: Book (French) Author: Jean-Jacques Gasly, Pierre's father Translation: @/findyseb5 on Twitter, via @/vetteleclerc