Gasly lives out dream in charity football match ahead of F1 Monaco GP

Pierre Gasly revealed his early ambitions to become a professional football player, after captaining one of the teams in the traditional Nationale Piloti charity match on the eve of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.

A co-owner of French Championnat National club FC Versailles, the Alpine driver was given the honour of wearing the armband as he was joined by a number of other F1 racers in a match played before the grand prix weekends gets under way.

The likes of Oliver Bearman, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso and Isack Hadjar also played, while Ferrari driver and Monegasque native Charles Leclerc was also present and kicked off the match alongside two-time F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen.

Sainz reportedly showed his Spanish flair by claiming an assist in the match – of which there is very little verified football, with the team made up of drivers, former professional footballers and celebrities, with the proceeds going to both local drink driving campaign Be Safe and the Jules Bianchi Association.

“The enjoyment is probably a hundred out of 10, I love football,” Gasly said, when asked about appearing in the match at Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco.

“I love playing. I love the feeling. I used to play when I was a kid, and I absolutely loved every single game and practice. Now, to be able to play in this sort of event, especially in an iconic stadium, kind of reminded me of some of my dreams I had when I was a kid.

“It’s incredible to live this moment and, as you say, share a moment where you get the drivers, who are your rivals on track, but work together in this event, it’s quite a unique feeling.

“Yesterday, I was with Isack on my left, trying to work out how to score a goal, to defend together with Carlos. Charles used to play in the past. It’s just a nice event and a nice way to get into the Monaco race weekend. And we do it for charities.

“It’s a great win for everybody. It’s unique to Monaco and always a great highlight of the weekend.”

Gasly opted for the standard answer when asked about who the greatest footballer of all time was, refusing to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, only for Leclerc to point out he had missed France and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.

“Yeah. Zizou to me is my icon since I was a kid. That’s the one I looked up to. Whether you can say he’s the best of all time, it’s very tricky,” he said.

“But for sure, as a kid, initially my dream was to be a football player – until the first time I jumped in a go-kart. That first lap out there, the dream of football just disappeared. Then it was all about Formula 1.

“But I kept playing football. And to be fair, if F1 had not been part of my life, I would have tried to pursue a career in football. Don’t think I would have made it, but at least it was clearly my second dream as a kid.”

Gasly, however, did not have the same glowing words for team-mate Hadjar – the Racing Bulls man getting praised for his effort rather than his ability.

Asked whether his compatriot had a shot at earning a deal to play for FC Versailles, Gasly said: “No. But maybe in the management. I like his mentality and his team spirit. Not on the pitch. He runs – I must say he’s a great player because he just goes all out.

“Same as on track, he’s the same on the pitch. I’m not too sure for the body it’s the best, but at least for the team, it’s great.”