Pierre Gasly Recalls 'Sad' Red Bull Demotion, Claims He Had 'No Support' Against Verstappen

Pierre Gasly has opened up about his challenging half-season at Red Bull in 2019, stating he had "no support" and was not "given the tools to perform" in a team environment he describes as heavily centered around Max Verstappen. The French driver, now with Alpine, reflected on the demotion that saw him replaced mid-season, a move that ultimately led to his impressive career rebuild and eventual departure from the Red Bull program.

Why it matters:

Gasly's candid account sheds light on the intense pressure and political dynamics within top Formula 1 teams, particularly Red Bull's historically ruthless driver development program. His experience highlights the immense challenge of being paired with a generational talent like Verstappen and the critical importance of team support structures for a driver's success. This story resonates as a case study in driver management and career resilience in the sport's high-stakes environment.

The details:

• Gasly was promoted to Red Bull Racing for the 2019 season following Daniel Ricciardo's shock move to Renault, getting the call from Helmut Marko just six months into his first full F1 season with Toro Rosso.
• His stint lasted only until the summer break, after which he was demoted back to Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) following struggles to match Verstappen's performance, with a fourth place at Silverstone being his best result.
• Gasly points to a lack of established support, noting he was paired with a race engineer who had recently come from Formula E and lacked specific F1 experience, creating a "strange dynamic."
• He acknowledges Verstappen deserved the team's focus due to his results but felt he was fighting his own battle without the necessary resources to showcase his true potential.

The big picture:

Gasly's demotion proved to be a turning point. He rebuilt his reputation at the junior team, famously securing his maiden Grand Prix victory at Monza in 2020. However, with no path back to the senior Red Bull seat, he left the program entirely to join Alpine in 2023, where he has since achieved podium finishes. His career trajectory underscores Red Bull's 'sink or swim' philosophy and how driver careers can diverge dramatically based on team placement and support.

What's next:

Gasly now looks ahead with Alpine to the 2026 regulation changes, expressing optimism about the team's new direction. Alpine will switch from being a Renault works team to a Mercedes customer team for the new engine era.

• Gasly confirmed the team is hitting its development targets on both the chassis and power unit sides for the 2026 project.
• With Alpine finishing at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship in 2025, the sweeping regulatory reset represents a crucial opportunity for a fresh start and improved fortunes for both the team and Gasly's own career trajectory.