Pierre Gasly has revealed the challenges he encountered during his brief time as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull in Formula 1. The French driver was picked by Red Bull to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Renault for the 2019 season alongside Verstappen. However, Gasly only competed in 12 races for Red Bull’s main team, scoring 63 points compared to Verstappen’s 181, leading to a harsh demotion due to underwhelming results. He was sent back to Toro Rosso’s sister team, while Alex Albon took over for the rest of the 2019 season.
Gasly, who has since revitalized his career with Alpine, opened up about the tough period at Red Bull, describing it as lacking any support. He explained that in 2019, his second year in F1, he received no backing in a team that intensely supported Verstappen, who was delivering strong results. Gasly started with a new engineer from Formula E who had no F1 experience, creating a difficult working dynamic and leaving him without the necessary resources to succeed. Although both he and the team were unhappy, Gasly admitted it felt almost like a relief.
Regarding his mid-season return to Red Bull’s sister team, Gasly said the atmosphere was negative, but he remained focused on doing his best. He achieved his first podium at the 2019 Brazilian GP and scored a remarkable victory at the 2020 Italian GP. Now 29, Gasly continues to build a reputation as a solid midfield driver with three more podium finishes.
The 2025 season was tough for Alpine, finishing last in the constructors’ championship with the slowest car. Despite this, Gasly managed to secure all 22 points scored by the team this year.
Fan Take: Gasly’s story highlights how even talented drivers can struggle without the right support, reminding fans of the intense pressures inside top F1 teams. His comeback journey is inspiring and important for the sport, showcasing resilience and the crucial role of team dynamics in a driver’s success.
