Pierre Gasly made the most of his epic Italian Grand Prix pole position, promoting his new sports hydration drink during the post-qualifying press conference.
The Frenchman’s pole position was unexpected and was the first for the team as Alpine.
Speaking on the Paddock Access podcast, Formula One photographer Kym Illman described how Gasly caught his attention.
“I sort of give him a thumbs up, or a smile, and he smiles back at me,” he said.
“And then, he’s got this can in his hand and he [points at the can] just at me.
“All right, get my lens out and I focus on the can.”
The can Gasly was holding was from his new sports hydration brand Minded, which he revealed in June.
Unsure of what he was looking at, Illman contacted Gasly’s communications manager, James Lloyd, asking for context behind the action.
“He goes, ‘Oh, that’s his brand. He shouldn’t be doing that. He should be promoting BWT,’” he said.
Illman went on to jokingly promote Alpine’s title sponsor BWT, which will be replaced by Gucci next year.
Gasly’s drink Minded describes itself as “a new category between water and soda” that “helps your body hydrate more efficiently while tasting like your favourite drink from childhood got a glow-up.”
Minded is available in three flavours and ships to countries in Europe and the United States.
