Every year, when Formula 1 returns to Spa-Francorchamps, Pierre Gasly quietly brings a bouquet of flowers to a specific spot on the circuit. It’s not for show, and it’s not for attention. It’s a personal ritual, rooted in loss and memory.
The reason is simple, but it carries a lot of weight. In 2019, during the Formula 2 race at Spa, Gasly’s close friend Anthoine Hubert lost his life in a crash at the top of Raidillon. The two were more than just fellow racers; they had grown up together in the French motorsport scene, sharing dreams, victories, and setbacks. That day changed Gasly’s relationship with Spa forever.
Pierre Gasly’s Favourite Track Turned To A Nightmare
For Gasly, Spa used to be a favorite track. He had won races here in his junior career and always looked forward to coming back. But after Hubert’s accident, the place became something else: a reminder of how quickly things can change, and how fragile life in motorsport can be. Gasly has spoken about the “contradictory emotions” he feels every time he returns. He loves the circuit, but he can’t escape the memories of that day, or the moment he learned his friend was gone.
The act of laying flowers is Pierre Gasly’s way of keeping Hubert’s memory alive. It’s a small gesture, but it means a lot. Each year, before the racing begins, Gasly makes his way to the site of the crash. Sometimes he’s alone, sometimes joined by other drivers or members of the paddock. There’s no ceremony, just a quiet moment to remember a friend who should still be here.
A Tradition
The tradition has grown. In recent years, Pierre Gasly has invited others to join him in a run around the circuit in Hubert’s honor. Drivers, team members, and fans have joined the tribute, wearing shirts with Hubert’s number, 19, and pausing at the spot where he died. Still, for Gasly, it remains something deeply personal. He’s said that he links places with emotions, and Spa will always be tied to the worst day of his life.
Some people question why photographers and media are present during these moments. There’s a sense that grief should be private. But Gasly’s tribute has become a way for the whole racing community to remember Hubert, and to acknowledge the risks that every driver takes when they get in the car. The flowers stay at the site for the weekend, a quiet reminder to everyone passing by.
When Pierre Gasly scored his first podium for Alpine at Spa, he dedicated it to Hubert. Even in moments of personal achievement, his friend is never far from his thoughts. It’s a reminder that in Formula 1, behind the speed and the spectacle, there are real people, real friendships, and real loss.
Gasly doesn’t bring flowers to Spa for publicity or tradition. He does it because he hasn’t forgotten. And he wants to make sure no one else does, either.
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