Pierre Gasly says that he is talking with the FIA regarding the number of penalty points he has accumulated this year, describing the situation as “embarassing”.
Gasly is currently two points away from being handed a ban for a race weekend.
Any driver that tallies 12 points across 12 months is forced to sit out the next applicable grand prix.
No driver in F1 has yet racked up 12 points since the system was introduced, however it has occurred on numerous occasions in Formula 2.
Gasly picked up five points throughout the month of October, including one at the last race in Mexico for pushing Lance Stroll off the track while racing.
His first points will not drop off his Super Licence until May 22 next year.
Gasly, who will depart AlphaTauri at the end of the current campaign, says it is a big burden to carry into the opening stages of the 2023 campaign.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s a very unpleasant situation, and quite delicate,” Gasly said. “In some ways also, it’s a bit embarrassing to be standing in a position where I could be banned for a race after the season I’ve done.
“I don’t really feel like I’ve been particularly dangerous over the last 12 months, and that would definitely be a harsh penalty.
“But there’s been a lot of discussion with the FIA, trying to find a solution because personally, I want to do all the races, I want to finish the season in the best way I can with AlphaTauri.
“I want to do all the races in 2023 and get the maximum chances to perform for Alpine.
“Obviously, there is a lot at stake because no one knows what’s going to happen in 2023, I could end up with an amazing car, fighting for the championship, for example. I can’t take the risk to be banned for a race and lose all my hopes for the championship. It’s a very tricky situation.”
Two of Gasly’s 10 points have come from gaining an advantage off the circuit, while another two were issued to him in the US for falling more than 10 car lengths behind the Safety Car.
Gasly says that he is currently talking to the FIA over the situation, believing that the current system in place is too strict.
“I’ve been discussing quite a lot with the FIA to try to find solutions,” he said.
“The way the regulations are written at the moment, it’s quite strict on the drivers and quite harsh penalties, even though it’s not always related to dangerous driving.
“Definitely, the penalties have massive repercussions on the teams and drivers in the championship. I do hope we are going to have more conversations today but I do hope we can find a solution ahead of the weekend to end up in a silly situation where I’ll be banned for a race weekend.
“That would be terrible for myself and definitely not the way that I’ve seen the sport growing up. I don’t think that’s the correct approach.
“Obviously, I can’t really go into next year with only two points and that risk over my head. But at the same time, at the moment there is no clear solution so hopefully there can be a good plan going forward for 2023.”
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