Formula One driver Pierre Gasly has decided to quarantine himself in Dubai. He’s in a Dubai hotel at the moment and is keeping up with his training regime in order to stay fit for the start of the season.
He has not been able to take part in F1’s eSports series as he has no access to a simulator.
He was reportedly keeping himself busy with other e-sports on PlayStation.
“I do it (virtual racing) all the time at home. I love it,” said Gasly “But in Dubai, I don’t have a sim, just a PlayStation. So I play other games than F1.
How exactly did he end up in Dubai?
Well, the French driver has a scheduled stopover planned in Dubai between the Australian and the Bahrain leg of the season which was cancelled.
“When I arrived in Australia, I had almost zero jet lag, I felt great. But when they announced that we would not be racing, it hit me,” said 24-year-old Gasly to AFP. “I had been so excited, there had been so much preparation with the team and physically all winter.
“At the time, we were a little frustrated not to be racing because that is what I want to do and it’s what motivates me. But when you see the situation, there is no way to avoid postponing events, sports or otherwise.”
He chose this decision because he wanted to keep his parents safe as he still lives with them in France.
“In France, I live with my parents and I don’t want to expose them to the risk even though they are young,” Gasly said.
“My partner is stuck in Bologna. It is really super difficult for everyone, they are all stuck at home. Fortunately there is Skype, FaceTime to stay in touch with my loved ones.
Formula One has revealed a revised schedule for 2020 and intends to begin the campaign with races in Austria in July.
“I’ll stay here for at least two more weeks, or more if the situation calls for it. But I’m fine.”
He says he’s in the best shape of his life
Gasly told French newspaper L’Equipe: “I exercise for two hours a day. As a professional athlete I am allowed [into the gym], even though it is actually closed. That is a great privilege. I also run outside.
“I’ve never been in such good shape! I’ve never had so much time to work on it.”
