A Sunday league football team with a little over 400 followers on social media has been sponsored by Formula One driver Pierre Gasly in a bizarre move.
Gasly, 30, races for the Alpine Formula One team, having formerly competed for the likes of Red Bull. This season, he has a season-high finish of sixth in China, while he will start from seventh in Japan this weekend.
It appears, though, that he has interests away from racing. As of this season, the Frenchman has been sponsoring Stratford-upon-Avon-based weekend league team Shottery United, who play in the Evesham & District Sunday Football League Division Two.
Announcing the news to their 431 followers on Instagram, the club wrote: ‘Shottery United FC are proud to announce its new kit, sponsored by Formula 1 Driver Pierre Gasly!
‘Thank you Pierre and his team for making this happen and for the continued support.’
Fans in the comments were left stunned, with one writing: ‘Crazy,’ accompanied by two laughing face emojis. ‘Play up shottery blues!’
Sunday league football team Shottery United are being sponsored by Formula One driver Pierre Gasly (pictured)
Fench driver Gasly (centre) races for Alpine, but is a big football fans and has opted to sponsor the club
Another wrote: ‘How have you managed that one!’
It has emerged, however, via the Stratford Herald, that Gasly opted to sponsor the club because several members of the Alpine team play for them.
Sam Weaver, who co-runs the club, said: ‘Alpine are our local Formula One team and a few of our lads work there in various roles.
‘Pierre loves his football and he decided to sponsor us, so we managed to place his name on our new kit.’
Gasly also reportedly sends the team video messages and voice notes to offer his support, while he intends to attend a match when he can.
It’s been a mid-table season on the field for the Shottery team so far. They sit eighth in the division out of 12 teams, having won four of their 11 matches played.
With games in hand, though, they will be hoping to climb the league in the season run-in – perhaps with Gasly watching on.
