BREAKING: F1 star ruled out BEFORE race Due…see more

Pierre Gasly Out of Belgian GP Sprint After Last-Minute Car Issue

There was heartbreak for Alpine and their fans on Saturday morning as Pierre Gasly was dramatically ruled out of the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race, just minutes before it was set to begin. The French driver, who had been gearing up to fight for points, was forced to step away from the grid due to a water leak issue on his car.

Gasly had lined up ready to race, but as the mechanics gathered around his car and the engine went silent, it became clear something was wrong. Moments later, the team confirmed he would not be taking part in the sprint — a huge disappointment for both driver and crew. The car was wheeled back to the garage, and race control quickly updated the grid, promoting the drivers behind him by one place.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” an Alpine spokesperson said. “Pierre was ready, the team was ready — but a technical issue meant we had no choice. We’ll work flat out to fix it ahead of qualifying and the main race.”

The timing couldn’t have been worse. The sprint, a short-format race that offers championship points, was seen as a crucial chance for Gasly and Alpine to claw back some ground in what has been a challenging season. Instead, the team now faces an uphill task to get the car ready for qualifying later in the day.

Elsewhere on the grid, the race went ahead as planned, with Oscar Piastri leading from pole position for McLaren, and Max Verstappen and Lando Norris close behind. With one less Alpine on track, the midfield battle shifted slightly, but the focus remained on the tight competition at the front.

For Gasly, it’s a tough pill to swallow. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is one of his favourites, and he’s no stranger to strong performances here. Missing the sprint means not just lost points, but also lost momentum — something he and the team badly need as they try to turn their season around.

Still, there’s hope. The team is already working on the car, and if they can fix the issue in time, Gasly should be back in action for qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix. For now, though, it’s a weekend that hasn’t gone to plan.