F1 star makes shock switch to new sport after joining football and tennis legends in joining star-studded tournament

FORMULA ONE star Pierre Gasly has become the latest big name to enter the world of padel.

Gasly, 28, looks set to battle fellow team owners in the likes of Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal in a star-studded Hexagon Cup event.

While Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski also have teams backed by them.

Gasly has joined forces with financier and fellow Frenchman Loic Fery, the president of football club Lorient, to establish 10Padel.

They will be the eighth and final squad in next year’s Hexagon Cup, which will also feature teams owned by actress Eva Longoria and former Manchester City star Sergio Aguero.

Padel, a racket sport that involves a combination of tennis and squash, is played on an enclosed court about the third of the size of a tennis court.

Gasly said: “I’m thrilled and excited to take this first step into the padel world by creating our professional team, 10Padel.

“I love this sport, which shares the same competitive spirit and passion that drives me on the Formula 1 circuits. 

“Together with Loic, we see a unique opportunity to build a team that stands out both on and off the court. I hope many of you will support us in the next 2025 edition.”

Gasly, who finished 12th in the Austin Grand Prix last Sunday, and Fery decided to go into business after playing padel together at the Miami Grand Prix in May.

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Murray has been a prominent figure in the rise of padel.

The retired Scotsman formed his team AD/vantage with businessman Arran Yentob and former tennis player and coach Dani Vallverdu.

The three-time Grand Slam champ’s band became the inaugural men’s winners this earlier year.

Meanwhile, Messi co-owns the team Kru Padel by Taktika with former Argentina teammate Aguero.

The Hexagon Cup features teams of professional padel players.

Each team is made up of three pairs that compete in men’s, women’s and next gen matches.

The second edition is scheduled to take place in Madrid on the 31 January.

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